Last Saturday, the IL GOP State Central Committee voted Chicago attorney Pat Brady in as its state party chairman. The vote endorsed Brady's efforts since filling the vacancy left by the former chairman, Glenview businessman Andy McKenna, who resigned last August to run in the IL GOP's 2010 gubernatorial primary. As he accepted the State Central Committee's support, Chairman Brady resigned from his other party position as Illinois' representative to the Republican National Committee, a job to which he was elected in 2008.
In order to fill the vacancy left by Brady's resignation, the IL GOP's State Central Committee will be choosing a new Republican National Committeeman around April 15th. Those interested in being considered for that spot are encouraged to send in their letters of intent to the ILGOP's headquarters before the deadline of April 8th. Whoever the committee chooses will serve until 2012.
What's the qualifications to enter the contest? Be a resident of Illinois, and a GOP primary voter in the last three primaries.
Illinois Review spoke with Republican National Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte and asked what else a potential candidate for the job should know.
"Well there's no set guidelines for what an RNC committee member should do," DeMonte, serving her first term said, "Except he should plan to attend RNC meetings and report back to the State Central Committee and, of course, bring back any resources available."
"On the other hand, he should know there's no reimbursements from the party for his expenses," she said. "And there's no staff assigned to help." DeMonte said she's thankful for a supportive husband and an intern from nearby Bradley University to help her with her RNC efforts. "Some people say I should have a fundraiser for my expenses, but there's so many good candidates who need help, I just find other ways to get things done."
So, if DeMonte, who's no longer on the State Central Committee, had a say in who would replace Brady, what would she look for in a candidate for national committeeman?
DeMonte clearly outlined what she'd be looking for. Someone who:
1. wholeheartedly supports the core principles and positions of the Republican party as expressed in the Republican Platform.
2. has an extensive network in Illinois to assist him in raising the necessary financial recourses for our Party and candidates.
3. will advocate for Illinois and bring back resources from the Republican National Committee.
4. will enthusiastically serve on RNC Committees and seek out leadership positions on the those committees, not only to advocate for Illinois, but to be part of the leadership team at the Republican National Committee.
5. will recruit and help candidates.
6. will travel to meet with people and to attend functions.
7. is an independent thinker.
8. has effective inter-and intra communication skills.
With the IL GOP's system of selecting members of the State Central Committee, who will make the party's choice in November, the best way to influence the committee's is to directly contact the state central committee members. Their contact information is available at the IL GOP's www.weareillinois.org website.
