The New Odd Couple

Even though Illinois voters elect their governors and light governors from separate ballots, GOP frontrunner Topinka has paired herself with 2002 GOP Attorney General nominee Birkett.

There might be hope for the new political Odd Couple, with Topinka playing Oscar Madison to Birkett's Felix Unger.

Gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, who has upset conservative Republicans with her stands on issues including abortion and gay rights, tapped a tough-on-crime prosecutor to be her running mate Thursday.

The announcement of DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett as Topinka's choice for lieutenant governor was widely expected.

Birkett opposes abortion and supports resuming executions, but the two stressed their common working-class roots and their agreement on concepts like integrity

.