Posted: February 15, 2010

By Doug Ibendahl

 

Here's some great news. A number of excellent Republicans have stepped-up across the state to run for State Central Committeeman this year. To our knowledge, it's a record number. That's a testament to the dissatisfaction with the old GOP leadership, and recognition of the need for positive change.

 

The State Central Committee is the senior governing board of the Illinois Republican Party. There are 19 members, one from each of our state's U.S. Congressional Districts. It's an unpaid party office, but a very important one.

 

Since SB600 is not yet law, the State Central Committee will be chosen at GOP County Conventions on March 3rd. The County GOP in each of the state's 102 counties will hold a separate convention that night in the local venue of their choice.

 

First, each county will choose a Republican County Chairman (a two year term), and then the State Central Committeemen will be chosen (that's a four year term).

 

Approximately a month after the March 3rd County Conventions, the newly chosen State Central Committee will hold its first meeting and choose the State Party Chairman. (The current Chairman, Pat Brady, has just been serving out Andy McKenna's unexpired term. That four year term is up this year.)

 

We'll obviously have much more on this process as the Republican County Conventions rapidly approach.

 

But for now, let's all thank the Republicans who have shown the courage to step into the arena - especially those running against entrenched incumbents who have repeatedly failed Republicans and our party.

 

The full slate of candidates for State Central Committeeman is below.

 

 

 

2010 GOP State Central Committee Candidates

Incumbent State Central Committeeman in italics

Champion News Preferred Challenger(s) in bold

 

1st District:       Steve Daglas

                        Shaun Murphy

 

2nd District:       Judy Diekelman

 

3rd District:       Angel Garcia

                        Anthony Castrogiovanni

                        Tony Peraica

 

4th District:       Craig Pesek (currently the State Central Committeeman for the 3rd Cong. District)

 

5th District:       Skip Saviano

                        Rosanna Pulido

                        Charles Hernandez

 

6th District:       Chris Kachiroubas

 

7th District:       Carol Smith Donovan

 

8th District:       Eugene Dawson

                        Michael Adelizzi         

 

9th District:       Jack Dorgan

 

10th District:      Tolbert Chisum

                        Raymond True

                        Louis Atsaves

 

11th District:      Bobbie Jo Peterson

                        Dave Smith

                        Cory Singer

 

12th District:      Deb Detmers

                        Sue Hamilton

 

13th District:      Roger Claar

                        Pete LaBarbera

 

14th District:      Jim Oberweis

                        Jack Cunningham

                        Gabriela Wyatt

                        Connie von Kuedell

                        Andrew Kaczmarek

 

15th District:      Jerry Clarke

 

16th District:      Dave Syverson

                        Joe Wiegand

 

17th District:      Judy Dudek

 

18th District:      John Birch

                        Mike Bigger

 

19th District:      Bob Winchester

 

 

Doug Ibendahl is a Chicago Attorney and a former General Counsel of the Illinois Republican Party. He is Co-Founder of Republican Young Professionals (RYP).