( 25News Now ) - Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

Edgar, a Republican, served during the 1990s when the GOP controlled Illinois government, which is now decidedly in Democratic hands.

Edgar’s death has led to scores of tributes, including Democrats who may have disagreed with him on key issues.

Edgar was Illinois Secretary of State when he was elected governor in 1990, defeating Democratic Attorney General Neil Hartigan in a close contest. Four years later, Edgar was re-elected by a wide margin, carrying 101 of the state’s 102 counties, including Cook County, over Democratic State Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch. Republicans in 1994 also took control of the Illinois House and Senate, and all statewide offices.

Edgar advocated fo

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