SPRINGFIELD - Wednesday night could be history-making in the Illinois Republican Party as party organizations meet to pick their county Republican chairmen, county party officers, and regional state central committee members at county party conventions.
The IL GOP's State Central Committee (ILGOP SCC) could look very different from the current group - and IL GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has stirred controversy with unprecedented endorsements in at least four races.
Bailey endorsed Chris Cleveland in the 5th CD race for SCC between Cleveland, former Cook County IL GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar, and incumbent SCC member Jack Dorgan. He also endorsed LaSalle County IL GOP Chairman Larry Smith in the 14th CD race between Smith and Raquel Mitchell.
Bailey also endorsed Chad Weaver in the 17th CD over Kent Glazier, and Ben Stratemeyer of Centralia over Rhonda Belford in the 12th CD. Darren Bailey's wife Cindy is running along with Stratemeyer as Deputy Committeewoman.
In the 9th CD, Sally Nyhan Davis has been recommended by Rep. Mary Miller and her husband, state Rep. Chris Miller.
There's speculation among party insiders that the party rank and file is rejecting those that backed the Irvin candidacy in 2022, and want the IL GOP not to take a similar political strategy in future campaigns.
The contestants for State Central Committee to be decided Wednesday night are:
Congressional District 1
- Tim Ozinga, Mokena
Congressional District 2
- Judy Diekelman, Thornton
Congressional District 3
- Jeanne Ives, Wheaton
Congressional District 4
- Jay Reyes, Riverside
Congressional District 5
- Chris Cleveland, Chicago
- Aaron Del Mar, Palatine
- Jack Dorgan, Rosemont
Congressional District 6
- Bob Grogan, Downers Grove
- Sean Morrison, Palos Park
Congressional District 7
- Mark Hosty, River Forest
Congressional District 8
- Vacant
Congressional District 9
- Julie Cho, Wilmette
- Joan Lasonde, Wilmette
- Sally Nyhan Davis, Glenview
Congressional District 10
- Mark Shaw, Lake Forest
Congressional District 11
- Laura Pollastrini, Hampshire
Congressional District 12
- Rhonda Belford, Elizabethtown
- Ben Stratemeyer, Centralia
Congressional District 13
- Tim Butler, Springfield
- Maria Vazquez, Urbana
Congressional District 14
- Raquel Mitchell, Bolingbrook
- Larry Smith, Somonauk
Congressional District 15
- Jason Plummer, Edwardsville
Congressional District 16
- Jim Fisher, Hudson
- Jan Weber, Geneseo
Congressional District 17
- Kurt Glazier, Sterling
- Chad Weaver, Erie
