By Illinois Review
Two years into Tony McCombie’s tenure as Illinois House Republican Leader – with Norine Hammond serving as her deputy – the numbers tell a harsh truth: the caucus is weaker, poorer, and no closer to winning seats than when they began.
In fact, under their leadership, House Republicans are staring down 2026 at a staggering disadvantage that virtually guarantees continued Democratic dominance.
After the 2024 general election, the GOP did not gain a single seat. They also did not lose any – but that is hardly a victory. Republicans remain stuck at just 40 seats out of 118, holding barely one-third of the chamber.
Not a single district flipped. Every Democratic incumbent cruised to re-election, and every GOP incumbent simply held on. The political map did not change – because the Republican operation failed to build the resources required to change it.
While Democrats were stockpiling funds, McCombie and Hammond were struggling to keep up. The numbers are staggering. During the 2024 cycle, House Democratic leaders raised $15.6 million, compared to just $792,000 for Republican leaders – a 20-to-1 advantage.
In the third quarter of 2024, McCombie raised just under $1 million, but immediately transferred almost double that – $1.8 million – to the House Republican Organization (HRO). HRO reported raising $2.2 million in total, but burned through nearly every dollar. The caucus ended the quarter with just $90,504 cash on hand.
Meanwhile, Speaker Chris Welch raised $4.5 million in the same quarter. Democrats for the Illinois House brought in $4.8 million, including $2 million directly from Welch, and closed with $2.1 million cash on hand.
This is not simply a financial gap – it is a structural collapse. In every competitive district Republicans targeted, Democratic candidates enjoyed stronger cash positions and heavier support from their caucus.
Democrats entered Election Day fully funded. Republicans entered it already out of gas. Yet McCombie and Hammond continue insisting the party is “moving in the right direction.” The numbers say otherwise.
With Democrats outspending Republicans 20-to-1, and with zero signs of electoral momentum, Illinois House Republicans are not positioned to grow – they’re struggling just to survive. Under this leadership team, 2026 is shaping up to look exactly like 2024: no gains, no flips, and no path forward.
