UI student ran write-in gubernatorial candidate's popular campaign

SPRINGFIELD – A University of Illinois senior named Ryan Rudd was behind the "Get Nieuked" campaign, one of the few bright spots in an election season filled with corruption allegations, debate-dodging and negative advertising.

Rudd, 24, served as campaign manager for the write-in candidacy of Tim Nieukirk for governor and Casey DeFauw for lieutenant governor. It didn't result in a victory, but the campaign certainly generated a lot of buzz on the Internet and even prompted a wire service story that ran in media outlets across the state and the nation.

Also on this date

• Abandoned house source of frustration for Yankee Ridge residents
• Warning: Mahomet Aquifer water supply has limits
• Rental registration, inspection back on agenda
• For kindergartners, it's catch as catch c-a-n
• Two decades later, Homer teachers' strike still sore subject
• Toddler's grandparents launch awareness effort
• It's your business: Family firm keys on home access
• Obituaries

» More