Chicago – On the eve of the first public gubernatorial campaign debate, former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar today endorsed Bill Brady for Governor, saying Brady will restore fiscal discipline to manage the state budget, reverse out-of-control spending that threatens the state’s financial solvency, and will support economic policies designed to bring greater promise and prosperity back to Illinois.

“Bill Brady is the candidate most qualified to change the reckless fiscal attitudes we’ve seen for too long in Springfield,” said Edgar, the state’s 38th Governor.  “From discussing this with him, I know he will stop spending more money than the state takes in and bring fiscal responsibility back to state government.  As a businessman, he understands the impact of state budget policy on job creation and will put in place policies that once again encourage business investment in our state.”

“We need a change in Illinois government, and Bill Brady will bring that change.  I strongly endorse Bill Brady for Governor,” he said.

Brady said he’s honored to have Edgar’s endorsement, and pledged the same fortitude as the former Governor in addressing severe budget challenges.  Edgar served two terms as Governor from 1991-1999 before retiring from elected office.  He inherited a $1 billion state budget deficit and when he left office, the state had a checkbook balance of $1.5 billion.

“If I am fortunate enough to be elected Governor, I will follow the example set by Governor Edgar,” Brady said.  “He prioritized and cut state spending, curbed programs that were not producing the needed results, and returned fiscal discipline to Illinois government.”

Edgar is the latest in a series of recent Brady endorsements.  Others include the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, ABATE, former Governors Jeb Bush of Florida, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, and Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.