It was a night of heavy politicking, as Republican officials and would-be officials swamped the SIUC Student Center Ballroom Friday in an attempt to rally area voters for a takeover in the November elections.

The rally took the form of a dinner, branded the World Trotting Day Derby Dinner, and provided Republicans an opportunity to stage their own initiation ceremony, acclimating voters to the 1998, post-Gov. Jim Edgar regime. Edgar announced his retirement from state politics Aug. 20.

Although most of the state’s Republican leaders have not announced their intentions, speculation abounds that the 1998 change-in-guard will include Secretary of State George Ryan as a candidate for governor, Attorney General Jim Ryan as a candidate for U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun’s Senate seat, Comptroller Loleta Didrickson for secretary of state and SIUC Athletic Director Jim Hart for U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello’s 12th congressional District seat.

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All of these figures, with the exception of Secretary of State George Ryan, who sent a proxy to deliver a speech, made an appearance at the dinner. Jim Ryan and Didrickson spoke formally at the event, while Hart performed the invocation.

Calling for a new era in Republican politics, Illinois’ constitutional officials paraded in and out of the ballroom en route to the podium for a speech or to Marion for its district’s dinner, which also was in progress.

We’ve been doing this thing all day, said Matthew Besler, executive assistant to Didrickson, reacting to the day’s statewide excursions.

Besler was one of many seemingly tired, yet excited advisers who bustled around the lobby and ballroom, excluded from the actual dinner, eyeing reporters and constituents.

The highlight of the evening was the poignant address of Jim Ryan, who has been fighting lymphoma cancer for about a year.

Ryan said the cancer is in remission and that he could return to the campaign trail in a few weeks. Though he did not detail his plans for November, Ryan said he is actively looking at the possibility of running next year for the U.S. Senate in coordination with a recently formed exploratory committee. Ryan said he hopes to make a decision before Sept. 22.

He said his decision will be based primarily on what job he wants. He also is taking into consideration what a Senate campaign will mean for his family and fund-raising efforts.

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Ryan did say, however, that Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, D-Ill, is a vulnerable candidate according to recent polls, but will present a formidable challenge to any opponent.

All the polls show she’s vulnerable, but I do think she will be a tougher opponent than some people think, Ryan said. I don’t think it’ll be an easy race, and it never is an easy race to defeat an incumbent U.S. senator.

The ballroom looked like a stockholder’s meeting with guest tables scattered around the main floor and an elevated stage on which sat the event’s speakers and organizers.

The dinner began with a short introduction rendered by Bruce Brown, the 12th congressional District’s Republican committee chairman, followed by a prayer bestowed by Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and a singing of God Bless America.

Finally, the congregation said the Pledge of Allegiance before hearing from the night’s featured speakers. They included Gov. Jim Edgar, Attorney General Ryan, Didrickson, Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, Republican Chairman Harold Smith, Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, Bost, SIUC Chancellor Donald Beggs and Carbondale Mayor Neil Dillard.

The audience was fed pre-campaign dialogue all night, as Republican leaders blended a foreshadowing of their intentions with invigorated talk of the important issues less government interference, fewer and lower taxes, tougher crime measures, education, technology and jobs.

Topinka called the night a springboard for the upcoming elections and said she is excited about the prospects, though she did not imply running for a different seat.

I think the treasurer’s office has done a great job with the finance of this state, Topinka said. This is going to be a fascinating time (1998), and I hope to continue to serve the state of Illinois in this office.

Didrickson spoke of an expanded party in 1998 and an extension of the issues.

No. 1, I look at 1998 for the Republican Party as being a great opportunity, Didrickson said. The challenge, for all of us here tonight, is to have a party that is building on our unity and also expanding with regards to a message to attract other people into the Republican Party. I think that will be key for us.

The game of politics is a game of addition, and for us we need to make certain our issues have an appeal to an extended audience.

Didrickson said Republicans, since the last elections, have made significant strides in passing meaningful legislation and, in turn, changing the political climate of the state and the country.

Weve been very successful with our issues with regard to balancing the budget, with regard to welfare reform, line-item veto, tort reform. And now that we’ve accomplished so much, with an eye to the millennium, we need to lay the foundations for a number of other new issues, Didrickson said. Personally, smarter, smaller government is going to be critical for those of us in government.

We need to enhance our operations through the use of expanded technology.

Reacting to the tax issue, Didrickson also said, I think we got it right in 1969 in the state of Illinois with our flat tax rate.

Erik Woehrmann, president of the SIUC College Republicans, made an appearance at the dinner, donning an Edgar remembrance pin and offered his take on the event.

Basically, this is to show support for Republicans in the 12th District, Woehrmann said. It’s going to be an interesting election year Republicans are going to make a strong showing because we’ve got a slate of more credible candidates.

We’re (the College Republicans) the grassroots. This is where it all starts. We do the grunt work.