When Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, (R-Ill.), announced in April that he would not be seeking re-election, the Republican primary for the 2004 U.S. Senate race suddenly became wide open.

Since then, seven candidates with a variety of backgrounds have stepped up, hoping to represent the Republicans in the Nov. 2004 election — here's a quick look at each candidate:

John Borling

A retired Air Force major general from Rockford, Borling is running with the slogan "Duty Calls Again."

Borling had a 37-year military career. He is also the founder and CEO of Service Over Self America, a patriotic organization advocating a mandatory one-year term of service in the military for all men and women who volunteer.

Job creation and protection, restraining dangerous national tax and spend practices, and the problem of accessible and affordable health care are three important issues to him, according to his Web site.

Chirinjeev Kathuria

A physician and businessman from Chicago, Kathuria was born in India but has lived in the United States since childhood.

Kathuria says he has prospered greatly in this country and wants to become a senator in order to give back to the country and to Illinois.

Because of his connection to the medical profession, he said he wants to make prescription drugs more affordable, but thinks that making American drugs more affordable takes priority over trying to import less expensive drugs from Canada.

Andy McKenna

The CEO of Schwarz Paper Co. in Morton Grove, McKenna calls himself the "Jobs Senator," focusing his campaign on creating more jobs in Illinois.

McKenna said he plans to support small businesses and fund research because "research money equals innovation equals new business equals more jobs."

McKenna has been hosting job round tables throughout the state to discuss how to improve the state's economy.

Jim Oberweis

A resident of Aurora running for the Republican nomination for the second time, Oberweis is probably most recognized as the chairman of Oberweis Dairy, although he also founded his own brokerage and investment-managing firm.

The University alumnus gave a speech on campus last Thursday and attended Homecoming festivities during the weekend. Oberweis said he is the Republican who is most capable of winning the seat because of his name, background and experience.

Oberweis finished second to Jim Durkin in the 2002 Senate primary.

Steven Rauschenberger

An Illinois state senator from the 22nd District, Elgin, Rauschenberger is the only Republican candidate to currently hold an elected legislative office.

Spokesman Charlie Stone said this advantage gives Rauschenberger credibility, adding that many Illinois Republican legislators are supporting him.

Stone said although Rauschenberger is not as wealthy as some of the other candidates, it will not hurt him in his campaign.

"He cannot buy the election," Stone said. "But he will earn it."

Jack Ryan

An investment broker and former teacher from Chicago, Ryan was the first Republican to announce his candidacy and is already running campaign ads on television.

Spokeswoman Lissa Druss Christman said Ryan has three major goals: protecting the country, having a free and open economy and ensuring every child gets a quality education.

Jonathan Wright

The assistant state's attorney for Logan County, Wright served as a state representative from June 2001 to January 2003.

On his campaign Web site, Wright said he is tired of hearing candidates give the same campaign cliches and said, "My campaign is not designed to tell the voters what they want to hear, but rather to bring a message that I think will resonate with the common sense of the people."

Wright said he would fight for the issues he believes in, even if it costs him his re-election.

Michelle Garesche contributed to this report.