More to come ahead on Illinois Review, including audios of the candidate forum.
TINLEY PARK - In a straw poll after one of the IL GOP's first 2020 primary season candidate forums, an audience in Chicago's southern suburbs chose as their favorites two African-American women, a businessman running for office the first time, and two experienced politicians.
For those observing, the results were quite a change from the Illinois' Republican Party they once knew.
"I think we got a great insight into the candidates tonight, to get a flavor of who they are and what they stand for," said Bremen Township GOP Chairman Kevin Suggs. "So now I think we just need to have more exposure and people will be able to make the right choice March 17th."
All but one of the GOP candidates in the straw poll are vying for the chance to take on longtime-entrenched Democrat incumbents in the November 2020 general election.
Thursday night, Republicans in Cook County's southern suburbs and Will County's eastern section heard from 15 different candidates in nine different local, state and federal races. The straw poll focused on five contested GOP primary races: for the U.S. Senate, the Cook County State's Attorney, 37th State House, and the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts.
Of the 15 participating in the forum, seven were white males, three were black males, three were black females, and two were white females - evidence of a political party that's changing.
First time GOP candidate Peggy Hubbard, a veteran and former law enforcement officer from Belleville, was the audience's favorite among four U.S. Senate picks on the evening's panel - including former Lake County sheriff Mark Curran, Dr. Robert Marshall and Dr. Thomas Tarter. A fifth GOP US Senate candidate, Casey Chlebek, did not participate in the forum.
(For an audio of the evening's U.S. Senate discussion on immigration, see HERE.)
Chicagoan Lynn Franco narrowly won over Jimmy Lee Tillman and Philanise White on the 1st CD primary ballot.
Southwest suburban businessman Tim Ozinga won handily over GOP primary opponent New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann in the 37th House race to succeed retiring State Rep. Margo McDermed.
Baldermann was expected at the event, but didn't show at the last moment. That disappointed Will County GOP Chairman George Pearson.
"I'm truly disappointed that Baldermann didn't show up. I believe throwing off the public and being afraid to come out after a bad story hit - instead of facing it head on. Why not come out and have a conversation about it?" Pearson told Illinois Review.
The story Pearson was referring to was in the Will County Gazette that hit Thursday, re-emphasizing Baldermann's numerous public pensions and salaries as well as what the story claims is Baldermann having three properties in Will County upon which he claims home owners' exemptions for property taxes. State law allows only one per resident.
In the Cook County State's Attorney race, the attendees chose Chris Pfankuche over Patrick O'Brien - both experienced prosecutors.
In the 3rd CD race, the audience chose Will County Board member Mike Fricilone heavily over Catherine O'Shea, who participated in the forum.
Others that participated in the forum, but are running unopposed in the 2020 GOP primary were 38th House District candidate Max Solomon, 40th Senate District candidate Eric Wallace, Cook County 15th Judicial Subcircuit candidate LaVeta Williams and 2nd CD candidate Theresa Raborn.
More to come on this forum ahead on Illinois Review, including audios of the candidate forum.
