LT. GOV. GEORGE Ryan said Gov. James Thompson has asked him to be his running mate again if the governor decides to seek re-election next year, the strongest hint yet that Thompson intends to seek a fourth term.
In an interview, Ryan said Thompson told him during a Thursday afternoon meeting that he would like him to remain on the 1986 ticket. Thompson has said he will make his decision after this year`s spring session of the legislature. ”There`s a pretty good possibility that he`ll run,” Ryan said, ”and I think he can win. It gets a little tougher each time. But I think his stock has picked up considerably in the last year.”
Until recently, there had been speculation among some of the governor`s advisers that Thompson might seek to replace the conservative Ryan, with whom he has clashed on issues ranging from the Equal Rights Amendment to the governor`s 1983 tax package.
But Thompson has minimized past differences with Ryan, saying, ”George has been a good partner. I don`t see any reason to break up a winning team.” RYAN, 50, A FORMER House speaker and five-term state legislator from Kankakee, has been useful to Thompson in his dealings with the legislature. He also is the governor`s liaison with the conservative wing of the state Republican party.
A potential cloud over Ryan`s candidacy was lifted recently when the U.S. attorney`s office dropped an investigation into charges he had used his political influence to encourage business with his Kankakee pharmacy. Ryan contended that the charges were politically motivated.
Some GOP strategists said that Ryan`s withdrawal from the ticket could have jeopardized Thompson`s support among conservatives. In November, Republican Sen. Charles Percy was defeated for re-election partly because he had alienated much of his party`s right wing. By retaining Ryan on his ticket, Thompson is less likely to lose such support.
Frustrated by the limited duties of his office, Ryan had privately discussed the possibility of running for state treasurer rather than seeking re-election. He also has said that he would consider a gubernatorial bid if Thompson does not seek re-election. If Thompson does not run again, Ryan probably also would consider running for secretary of state.
HE ISN`T THE FIRST lieutenant governor to become restless in the largely ceremonial job. His predecessor, Dave O`Neal, quit in 1981 with the suggestion that the office be abolished. New York Lt. Gov. Alfred DelBello recently announced that he is resigning Feb. 1 to go into private business.
Ryan, though, has managed to broaden the scope of his office by serving as the public`s ombudsman in state government, as chairman of an advisory committee on senior citizens, and by working actively in the field of drug and alcohol abuse. He also is chairman of Thompson`s small-business advisory commission, the Illinois Export Council and the Export Development Authority. The most compelling reason, however, why Ryan was responsive to Thompson`s request to remain on the ticket is that he has gained a higher statewide profile since his election in 1982. And the lieutenant governorship often has been a springboard to higher office. Sen. Paul Simon (D., Ill.) and state Atty. Gen. Neil Hartigan are among Ryan`s predecessors.
Six lieutenant governors have been promoted to Illinois governor when the spot has become vacant. Because Thompson is a possible contender for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, Ryan thinks there is a chance he might get to take on some added responsibilities.
ALTHOUGH RYAN had been hopeful of becoming a senior policymaker in the governor`s Cabinet, his role has been mostly an advisory one. His relationship with Thompson`s office, though, has improved since former State Rep. Jim Reilly (R., Jacksonville), one of Ryan`s former legislative allies, became Thompson`s chief of staff in 1983.
Ryan said his political differences with Thompson have been exaggerated. While he was disappointed in 1980 when Thompson appointed Jim Edgar over him as secretary of state, Ryan noted that the governor actively supported him in the 1982 primary for lieutenant governor.
Ryan also said that his private advice to Thompson to reduce the size of his 1983 tax cut was vindicated by the governor`s compromise with Republican legislative leaders.
