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THE STAR Thursday, November 22, 2001

Stanek-Kosel fight a one-issue campaign?

The fight for the heart and soul of the Republican Party just got more bitter. State Rep. Renee Kosel of New Lenox is the latest target in an effort by conservatives to capture the party's apparatus.

Last week, Mokena resident and former Christ Hospital nurse Jill Stanek announced her intention to run against Kosel in March for the party's state representational nomination.

It will be remembered Stanek became a heroine of sorts among GOP conservatives focusing on the abortion issue when several years ago she called attention to, and then protested against, a controversial abortion procedure at the Oak Lawn hospital.

Decrying so-called "live birth" abortions in cases of Down syndrome, fatal anomalies or serious mental retardation, Stanek rallied anti-abortion forces throughout the area and state. In August she was fired from her job for undisclosed reasons; she claims it was in retribution for her whistleblowing activism.

The conservative wing of the GOP took up her cause, in particular championing efforts by some legislators — including state Sen. Patrick O'Malley — to place strict limitations on the abortion procedure in question. Kosel, who claims to be conservative but is against government interference in a woman's reproductive choices, came under withering fire from the right when she testified against the bill, saying she could not agree with forcing doctors to put aborted, but still-breathing infants "with no chance of survival" on life support after delivery.

Now Stanek says she will oppose Kosel head-to-head in the March primary. The race will surely attract huge interest inside the party, and out.

Unfortunately, the contest could evolve into a one-issue campaign that may also affect — and reflect — the interparty fight for the gubernatorial nomination.

For his part, O'Malley may or may not be happy about such narrow focus as he battles two moderate primary opponents, Attorney General Jim Ryan and Lt. Gov. Corrine Wood, for the GOP nomination for governor. O'Malley has strong support from the conservatives but will need a broader base of backing to win in March.

The Stanek announcement is a fascinating development, to be sure — but one that "mainstream" Republicans cannot be very happy about as they look ahead to their battles against Democrats next fall. It only heightens the tension in a contentious tent where conservatives and moderates are already deeply at odds.

http://www.starnewspapers.com/star/spedit/all/22-ez3.htm

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