Trickle-Down Theory

Summer safety tip: When grilling outdoors, be careful with that petition you've been asked to sign. While Illinois nominating petitions must be numbered consecutively, nothing in the statutes say they must be fire-proof. The 2026 Primary may be seven months away, but petition season has already begun, thanks to a new law.

Odds are, that petition will be for a Democratic candidate:

At least 62 candidates have already announced their intentions to run for the five federal offices, 47 of them Democrats
As political petition passing begins, Illinois Democrats have flood of candidates; Republicans have a trickle

Both political parties have their own pipeline of candidates.  And with the Republican Party they add up to a few drips:

While Democrats have seen a flood of candidate announcements, for Illinois' moribund Republican Party, it's more of a trickle.
As political petition passing begins, Illinois Democrats have flood of candidates; Republicans have a trickle

One fact-based political scientist said: "It is no surprise that the GOP has only a trickle of candidates. The Party of Trump is a Party of aging males in decline and of perceived privilege. A visit to the urologist may be in order."