Milwaukee

Green Party decides not to back Nader

David Cobb fended off the ghost of Ralph Nader on Saturday to become the Green Party’s nominee for president.

The selection of Cobb thwarted Nader’s opportunity to gain immediate access to the ballot in 22 states and Washington, D.C.

Now the consumer advocate — whose 2000 Green Party candidacy is considered by many Democrats to have cost them the White House — will have to run solely as an independent or cobble together ballot access from other minor parties. He plans to run on the Reform Party line in some states.

And Cobb, a northern California lawyer, becomes the new face of the fledgling Green Party as it tries to create a lasting progressive movement. His running mate will be Pat LaMarche, a radio personality in Maine.

Chicago

Ryan’s exit leaves GOP searching for candidate

Republican Jack Ryan’s exit from the Illinois Senate race amid embarrassing sex club allegations leaves his party scrambling to find that golden candidate who could enter the contest as an underdog and in just four months raise the cash and recognition needed to win.

Ryan dropped out of the race Friday, four days after the records from his divorce from actress Jeri Ryan were unsealed. Ryan alleged that he had taken her to sex clubs and tried to pressure her to perform sex acts in front of people.

Illinois Republican Party chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka said the party hoped to have a new candidate within three weeks.

Possible names include the three challengers Ryan defeated in the March primary: state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, dairy owner Jim Oberweis and businessman Andy McKenna.