Republicans interested in running for Raymond Poe's former district in the Illinois House have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to submit an application to the Sangamon County GOP.
Poe on Friday announced he'll begin Monday as the agriculture director, meaning he won't be running for reelection.
Sangamon County Republican Chairman Rosemarie Long says the party will run a candidate in the primary, even though petitions are due the end of this month.
"Very short, very short time," Long said with a chuckle.
The central committee will meet on Thursday evening to create a committee, to choose its pick for succeeding Poe.
Poe has a preference:
"Gray Noll's sort of my favorite, but he's also got to go through the process,” Poe said. “We'll see how he comes out."
Noll lost a primary bid in the 2012 election; ultimately incumbent State Senator Sam McCann triumphed, retaining his seat.
