Jack Ryan (Senate candidate)

: This page is about the U.S. politician; for other uses, see Jack Ryan

Demise of the campaign

Ryan married actress Jeri Ryan in 1991; together they had a son, Alex Ryan. They divorced in 1999 in California, and the records of the divorce were sealed at their mutual request. Five years later, when Ryan's Senate campaign began, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and WLS-TV, the local ABC affiliate, sought to have the records released. Both Ryan and his wife opposed having the records unsealed, claiming that they could be harmful to their son if released.

Related Topics:
Jeri Ryan - 1999 - California - Chicago Tribune - WLS-TV - ABC

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On June 22, 2004, the California judge in the case agreed to release the files. The decision generated much controversy because it went against both parents' direct request and because it generally reversed the early decision to seal the papers in the best interest of the child.

Related Topics:
June 22 - 2004 - California

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Now public, the court filings by Jeri Ryan revealed that she claimed that her husband had taken her to sex clubs in New Orleans, New York City, and Paris, where he had asked her to perform sexual activities with him in front of other attendees of the clubs. Jeri Ryan described one as "a bizarre club with cages, whips and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling." In opposing court papers, Ryan denied the allegations, calling them "ridiculous" and accusing her of trying to libel him with the accusations, which he labeled "smut," and trying to sabotage a potential political career. After the papers became public, he continued to deny the allegations and vowed to stay in the race. Jeri Ryan refused to comment.

Related Topics:
Sex club - New Orleans - New York City - Paris - Libel

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Before the Republican primary election, state party chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka had asked Ryan if there was anything embarrassing in the files; he replied that there was not. Republican Representative Ray LaHood called on Ryan to drop out of the race. By June 25, Dennis Hastert, another prominent Illinois Republican (and the House Speaker) had "made some calls," according to anonymous sources reported in the Daily Southtown, and the consensus was for Ryan to step aside. The Southtown newspaper also reported that Ryan was expected to step aside. One of the factors—aside from the sex club allegations—was the belief that Ryan had misled the Republican leadership. As support continued to decline, Ryan withdrew from the race on June 25, 2004.

Related Topics:
Primary election - Judy Baar Topinka - Representative - Ray LaHood - June 25 - Dennis Hastert - House Speaker - Daily Southtown

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After the resignation, Republican leaders caucused to replace Ryan on the party ticket. Many potential candidates refused the seat, citing lack of money and almost certain defeat to the immensely popular Obama, late entry and being perceived as a second choice. Businessman James Oberweis, who finished second behind Ryan in the party primary, repeatedly mentioned himself as a possible successor, citing his willingness to spend his own personal fortune, rather than sap money from the state party. Oberweis' attacks on illegal immigration, however, were controversial within the party, as it may have been viewed as opposing President George W. Bush's proposal finding a practical solution to illegal immigration issues that was not yet accepted within the party establishment. They also considered former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka (who declined to run) and Andrea Barthwell, a Chicago physician and former Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (who announced she would like the nomination).

Related Topics:
James Oberweis - Illegal immigration - President - George W. Bush - Chicago Bears - Mike Ditka - Andrea Barthwell - Office of National Drug Control Policy

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Illinois Republicans eventually narrowed the field to Barthwell and conservative statesman, radio commentator, and frequent out-of-state candidate from Montgomery County, Maryland, Alan Keyes. In what was widely perceived as a victory for the conservative wing of the party, they offered Keyes the nomination on August 4, 2004. In an effort to promote his conservative issue agenda, Keyes accepted the offer on August 8. He went on to lose the race to Democratic candidate Barack Obama by the largest margin of any candidate in Illinois history.

Related Topics:
Montgomery County, Maryland - Alan Keyes - August 4 - August 8 - Barack Obama

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