McHenry County Blog

There is no exciting or even boring contest for McHenry County Stat’s Attorney this year, so let’s dip into the one in Lake County. The following press release is from a candidate who actually attended a fund raising event for future State Representative Barb Wheeler this summer:

BRYAN WINTER SWEEPS GOP ENDORSEMENTS FOR STATE’S ATTORNEY

Libertyville, Wauconda, & Cuba Township Organizations Impressed by Winter’s Vision for Office

WAUKEGAN, IL – Three Lake County Republican Township organizations have all endorsed Republican Candidate, Bryan R. Winter for Lake County State’s Attorney.

The Libertyville Township Republican Organization, one of the largest Republican groups in the County announced its “unanimous” endorsement and support for Bryan Winter’s candidacy on Saturday. Wauconda Township Republican Club and the Cuba Republican Club also endorsed Winter.

Bryan and Diane Winter attended Barbara Wheeler's summer fund raiser in Crystal Lake.

The Libertyville endorsement session included township committeemen listening to presentations from each Republican candidate for the position of State’s Attorney. Organizational bylaws require that a candidate must receive support from at least 60% of the total votes cast by committeemen to receive an endorsement.

The “unanimous” endorsement from the organization in support of Winter was exceptional, since rarely does a candidate receive 100% support in a contested primary.

Libertyville Republican Chairman, Edward P. Kelly stated, “Bryan Winter is a proven leader within the Lake County legal community; he has broad legal experience in addition to his service as the chief legal officer for several governmental entities. He also has leadership skills as the past president of the Lake County Bar Association. His experience and skills are what is needed for the next State’s Attorney.”

The Wauconda Township Republican Club and Cuba Township Republicans also endorsed Bryan Winter for Lake County State’s Attorney. Bruce J. Sauer, Chairman of the Cuba Township Republican organization noted that “Bryan Winter has the strongest qualifications and the vision to increase the cooperation between the county and local police departments.”

”It means a great deal to me to receive group endorsements from the Libertyville, Cuba and Wauconda Township Republican organizations,” said Winter. “I greatly appreciate their support and would bring a fresh and independent approach to the office of the Lake County State’s Attorney by utilizing my experience and leadership skills.”

Bryan Winter, is a former local prosecutor and litigator with over 26 years of experience in legal matters relating to individuals, corporations and municipalities. Winter is the village attorney for Gurnee and Kildeer. He grew up in Waukegan, and currently resides with his wife, Diane, and son in Lake Barrington.

Dave McSweeney

Last week it was the Wauconda Township Republican Central Committee who endorsed David McSweeney over appointed incumbent State Representative Kent Gaffney and fellow challenger Danielle Rowe.

Now, it is Cuba Township’s time.

The following press release is from its Chairman, Bruce Sauer:

CUBA TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS

January 16, 2012 – North Barrington, Illinois – The Cuba Township Republican Committee voted to endorse the county and state candidates who are seeking office in the Illinois primary set for March 20, 2012.

Candidates from competitive races were invited to present their case at a meeting held on January 14 at the Barrington Public Library.

At the end of the meeting the Precinct Committeemen voted by secret ballot.

Only candidates who received two-thirds of the vote of the committeemen in the organization were officially endorsed by the organization.

We are pleased to announce the following endorsements:

• David McSweeney for Illinois Rep. District 52
• Bryan R. Winter Illinois States Attorney
• Keith Brin for Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Bob Bednar for Lake County Recorder of Deeds
• Steve Newton for Lake County Coroner
• Nick Sauer for Lake County Board, District 17

Bryan Winter

Nick Sauer

”We congratulate all the candidates who are running for election, and were impressed with the dedication and passion shown by all of them to improve the economic hardships being felt by families and businesses in Cuba Township.” said Bruce Sauer, Chairman Cuba Township Republican Committee.

“We need to elect strong conservatives in 2012 to foster a pro-growth and limited government environment for future generations, and believe this team of Republicans can lead us to victory in November.”

About Cuba Township Republican Committee

The Cuba Township Republican Committee led by Chairman Bruce Sauer holds open-to-the-public breakfast meetings the second Friday of each month. Cuba Township is located in southwest Lake County, Illinois and covers an area of 24 square miles and a population of approximately 16,000 people living in the following towns: Barrington Hills (northeast edge), Barrington (northwest quarter), Deer Park (west edge), Fox River Grove (east edge), Port Barrington (southeast quarter), Lake Barrington (vast majority), North Barrington (west three-quarters), and Tower Lakes. In the 2010 primary election, 78% of Cuba Township turnout voted Republican. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or at our website cuba.lakecountyrepublicans.com.

About a fourth of the crowd at the rural Nunda Township estate that hosted Barbara Wheeler's fund raiser.

An impressive crowd turned out for McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler’s fund raiser for her State Rep. campaign.

It's been a long time since I dipped into Lake County politics. Wheeler has no choice since just over 50% of the new 64th District is across the county line. Bryan Winter, who is running for Lake County State's Attorney, was accompanied by his wife Judge Diane Winter. Former McHenry County State's Attorney candidate Dan Regna can be seen in the foreground. He was not the only one from Lake County present.

From those attending, I concluded that she will be the favorite of most of the McHenry County part of the 64th District that she seeks to represent.

Donna Kurtz chatted with Duane Sokolosky, an Algonquin Township GOP Precinct Committeeman.

There were candidates galore, including several thinking seriously about running for County Board, incumbents running for re-election, plus those interested in Grafton Township governmental slots.  Of significance is that none of Grafton Township is within the 64th District.

McHenry County Board member Tina Hill visited with Crystal Lake Grade School Board member Nancy Gonsiorek.

The idea of fund raisers is to raise money, of course.

Newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney and his wife Elizabeth conversed with Right to Life leaders Bonnie Quirke (Lake County) and Irene Napier (McHenry County). Like Wheeler's, Gaffney's district straddles the Lake-McHenry County line.

There was no set price, so there is no way anyone outside of Wheeler’s campaign knows how much was contributed, but there are several observations that can be made.

Barb Wheeler greets McHenry County Circuit Judge Mike Chmiel.

A successful fund raiser has to keep down expenses. The private home eliminated the need to rent a hall.

In this view of people attending Barb Wheeler's fund raiser I see former Crystal Lake City Council candidate Mike Shorten on the far left.

Beer, wine, soft drinks and water were provided, as were Italian beef sandwiches. There were some other light snacks.

How late did the party, which started at 6, last? This was my last shot. You seen Nunda Township Republican Party Chairman Brent Smith and Joe Gottemoller well after sunset.

The execution of the event pretty much guaranteed the net would be as large as possible.

Although it doesn’t make much of a story, those who stay home and send money can increase the total contributed at events like this.