ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

CHRISTOPHER WILLS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Gov. Jim Edgar’s once-clear path through the Republican primary grew more treacherous Tuesday with word that Cook County State’s Attorney is considering challenging the incumbent.

O’Malley met with GOP leaders over the weekend and was conducting a poll to gauge his chances in a primary battle with Edgar, Republican sources said on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for Secretary of State George Ryan said the secretary urged O’Malley not to run.

Ryan’s message was: ‘‘You’re a bright light. Someday you probably will be governor, but this wouldn’t be the year to try,’‘ spokesman Mike Murphy said.

O’Malley’s spokesman did not return phone calls, and an assistant said he was not commenting. Edgar spokesman Gary Mack said he wouldn’t comment on ‘‘speculation about what might happen.’‘

The political newcomer is the second Republican in recent days to consider challenging Edgar, a moderate serving his first term. Conservative businessman Jack Roeser said last week he will run for governor.

Roeser and O’Malley—if he were to run—would face a tough battle to unseat Edgar. The incumbent has a strong organization, millions of dollars in his campaign war chest and a popular image as budget-cutter.

But Edgar could be weakened even by a victory. He would take political hits and expend precious dollars before getting to the main event—the general election.

Republican Party Chairman Harold Smith said he doesn’t expect O’Malley to run. And he dismissed the suggestion that Edgar might be harmed by rumors of a challenge.

‘‘This is the time of the political year when all sorts of conversations go on,’‘ Smith said. ‘‘I think we have to wait for hard news to worry.’‘

O’Malley, a 42-year-old former Democrat who lives in Chicago, rejected the opportunity to run for the GOP nomination for attorney general next year.

A political neophyte, O’Malley’s star in the GOP rose quickly after he defeated incumbent state’s attorney Cecil Partee in the 1990 general election.

He repeated the unusual feat of beating a Democrat in Cook County two years later with a landslide victory over challenger Pat O’Connor, running strongly in both Republican and Democratic precincts.