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Former presidential hopeful and talk-show host Alan Keyes has agreed to become Illinois Republicans' U.S. Senate candidate, according to a newspaper report. Keyes planned to announce his decision to accept the GOP nomination at a public launch on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times reported in Friday editions, citing unnamed Republican sources. Keyes will face Barack Obama in the race for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, a Republican. [more]

Illinois Republican leaders on Wednesday chose failed presidential candidate Alan Keyes to wage an uphill campaign against popular Democrat Barack Obama in the race for a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat. Keyes, a former State Department official and conservative talk-show host who lives in Maryland, said he would consider the "serious offer" and make his decision about whether to accept on Sunday. A replacement was needed after the Republican nominee, stockbroker-turned-teacher Jack Ryan, withdrew June 25 because of a sex scandal. Keyes has never won an election, having been defeated in campaigns for the U.S. Senate in Maryland in 1988 and 1992. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president in 1996 and 2000. [more] and [more]

While in the State Department Keyes was a leading spokesperson for the Reagan policy opposing sanctions on apartheid South Africa.

Not a Resident of Illinois Keyes Previously Criticized Hillary Clinton when she moved to New York to run for U.S. Senate.

According to FOX News - when asked by Pat Buchanan if he would be interested in running for Senate against Hillary Clinton and abandoning his presidential bid in 2000, Alan Keyes stated, "I deeply resent the destruction of federalism represented by Hillary Clinton's willingness to go into a state she doesn't even live in and pretend to represent people there, so I certainly wouldn't imitate her" .Fox News Channel Special Report," 3/17/2000. The Hotline March 20, 2000.
Catherine Crier on the FOX News "Crier Report" asked Keyes, "If it weren't for Hillary Clinton's politics, would you have an objection to a sitting first lady running for the Senate?" Keyes responded, "I think the people of New York ought to have an objection to somebody who hasn't really lived in or been identified with their state. "FOX The Crier Report, July 6, 1999.
Keyes is from Maryland. He is required to move Illinois before election day on Nov. 2.