Illinois Comptroller Loleta Didrickson says she has the zest and zeal to run for U.S. Senate, despite attacks from her Republican challenger that she bowed to pressure from party officials to run after she originally had announced for Secretary of State.

Didrickson, as part of a 13-city tour, stopped in Carbondale Thursday morning to announce her intentions and fire up supporters for what is shaping up to be a race for the soul of the party.

First elected to the State House in 1982, Didrickson is seen to be more moderate on such issues as abortion and gun control, a status that party officials are hoping will balance out the ticket in November.

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Her challenger, Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Inverness, by contrast, is considered to be more conservative and has thus far appealed primarily to the party’s right wing.

Didrickson, in attempt to bring out this contrast, said she represents a broader constituency and it is this kind of inclusion that will bring about the defeat of incumbent U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley- Braun, D-Ill.

What we need is a Republican Party that is inclusive of all, Didrickson said to the cheers of about 20 supporters. Together we’ll make this run and we’ll be successful.

Mayor Chris Grissom of Murphysboro said Didrickson’s candidacy has the potential to unify an array of voters in November, a feat Republicans failed to accomplish in 1996.

I think she has broad appeal, he said. You really have to put up with a lot of people and a lot of different views, so you have to have a broad message.

Loleta Didrickson has that message. She can speak to more people in the Republican Party, and for that reason she’s the best choice for Senate.

Didrickson denied accusations that she was pressured to run by party officials. Even though she previously rejected the offer to run for Senate, Didrickson maintains she has the desire to run.

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I have a great zest and zeal for running for the U.S. Senate, she said. Before, I wasn’t certain that I had the time to put together a run.

My goal is to be very competitive and focus on winning this race.

Didrickson denounced, what she termed, Braun’s dependence on government, saying that if she were elected, she would work to implement a smaller, smarter system.

Carol Moseley Braun believes in large government, she said. She looks to government to guarantee a result. I look to the individual.

She also advocated a federal flat income tax rate, getting tough on deadbeat dads and expanding free trade around the world.

Free trade has the potential to bring together all the points of this state, she said.

Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said Didrickson has the character and intelligence to represent the state in Washington, and said he will be active in supporting her campaign.

I’ve met Loleta, and she’s a class individual, he said. When we talk about our U.S. Senator, she’ll be someone we can be proud of representing the state of Illinois.