Illinoisans participating in the primary election next month will find a Redbird on the ballot, as Dan Rutherford ’78 is in the running for governor.

A Republican in a solid Democratic state, Rutherford is the only candidate from his party to have already won a statewide election. He is currently Illinois State Treasurer and has held that office since 2010.

His political career began as an Illinois legislative assistant. He went on to serve a decade in the Illinois House of Representatives.

A conservationist and adventurer who has visited all continents, Rutherford is also a pilot, skydiver, and certified scuba diver.