'Establishment vs. Conservative' within the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois continues to be a battle front that is forcing state Republican leaders to take sides.
As reported here, RNHA of Illinois has been engaged in a civil war since the organization's state convention two years ago in Dixon. This past weekend, the RNHA organization led by Rafael Rivadeneira held it's convention in Elgin just days after fighting off an attempt to stop it by the other RNHA faction led by Steve Orlando, which also announced it's own convention.
One of the announced speakers at the competing convention was to be Aaron Del Mar, Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party (photo right). However, Del Mar has since declined the invitation to speak, saying he "does not want to appear as if he's choosing sides in this ongoing feud."
Collin Corbett, Del Mar's spokesman, told Illinois Review that Aaron is "urging both sides to work toward reconciliation," noting that when he was elected Cook County GOP Chair, Del Mar committed himself to growing the Republican Party in order to be relevant again in Illinois.
Neither Rafael Rivadeneira or Steve Orlando wished to comment on the Del Mar's decision.
