They used to say Illinoisans south of Interstate 80 would not vote for names like Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama.

But the voters proved themselves open-minded.

How open-minded?

Raja Krishnamoorthi, 35, Illinois' former deputy treasurer, is preparing to run for state comptroller, banking on voters' ability to appreciate his Harvard law degree and Downstate Peoria roots, even if they have trouble pronouncing his name.

"I think there's no question we're ready for a new name: Raja -- that's what we'll call him. It's much easier," said Newton Minow, the former Federal Communications Commission chairman who will chair his campaign.

For the record, the last name is pronounced krish-na-MORE-thee.

If elected, he would not only be the first Indian or Asian American elected statewide in Illinois, but he would also be only the second Indian American elected statewide in the country.

Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, was issues director for Obama's 2000 run for Congress and his 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, and also was active on Obama's presidential campaign. Krishnamoorthi's Web site shows a photo of Obama and Krishnamoorthi enjoying some of Krishnamoorthi's mom's Indian cooking at the family home in Peoria in 2002.

Krishnamoorthi was born in India, then moved with his family to Buffalo, N.Y., at the age of 3 months. A few years later, his father landed a job at Bradley University, so Krishnamoorthi grew up in Peoria.

"He was serious, earnest and hardworking, the model student," said former classmate Mark Schauerte, an attorney who serves as treasurer of Krishnamoorthi's exploratory committee. But Krishnamoorthi wasn't a complete geek, Schauerte said. "We've all been in the same fantasy football league since high school."

Krishnamoorthi went to Princeton and then Harvard Law School, where he impressed Dean Martha Minow, Newton Minow's daughter.

"I have not had many students in my nearly 30 years here who had such a passion for the community and the people," she said.

Krishnamoorthi now lives in Hoffman Estates. Though it has been 18 years since he lived full-time in Peoria, state Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) said the lawyer might play in Peoria. "I think he'll attract some Downstate votes," Koehler said.

Krishnamoorthi still has to say he is "looking" at running because Attorney General Lisa Madigan still has not made up her mind whether she will run for governor, the U.S. Senate or re-election. So state Comptroller Dan Hynes can't say whether he will make a run for Madigan's current job. Krishnamoorthi does say he will not run against Hynes.

Krishnamoorthi recently left his post as deputy treasurer to join a law firm and form his exploratory committee.