McHenry County Blog

He has no opponent, but State Rep. Mike Tryon is holding his annual fund fish boil fund raiser on August 1st at Huntley’s Parkside Pub.

The price is $40.

The details of the event are in the flyer seen below:

If you are wondering why a State Representative without an opponent needs money, perhaps the $2,500 contribution to the House Republican Organization might provide something of an explanation.

As I have explained before, Republican House leaders expect large contributions from members. The higher the position with the party hierarchy, the more money is expected.

Mike Tryon is expected to pony us $10,000 a year.

For those who want to take out Mike Madigan from the House Speakership, it has to be realized that Republican candidates in districts where Republicans might defeat an incumbent Democrat that there is not a tradition of giving money to Republican legislative candidates.

That means to have a chance of winning, money must come from somewhere else.

McHenry County is one of those “somewhere elses.”

If you would like to see how Tryon spent his money, campaign contributions for the first quarter of the year (the quarter with the primary election) here and in the second quarter Tryon gave $500 to Ken Koehler’s campaign.

Other itemized (over $150) expenditures can be found here for the first quarter of 2012 and here for the second quarter of the year.

From attending previous Teeni Weenie Bikini fund raisers held by McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler, I know that one cam find drinks other than the advertised martinis.

Wine is served, as are soft drinks.

I haven’t found my favorite drink yet (Kahlua and skim milk–one has to save calories somewhere, right?), but there are interesting attendees.

Last time I was surprised to see former McHenry County State’s Attorney Gary Pack, for instance.

This year’s event is being held the last Saturday night of the month, July 28th. (RSVP by the 24th.)

4-7 is the announced time and swimming is encouraged.

The location is Lindy’s Landing at 115 Park Street in Wauconda.

No set price again, although “sponsorships” are solicited at $1,000 a pop.

Matthew Potts of Potts and Pans will provide music.

A full court press is being put on by Andy Zinke, Keith Nygren’s anointed successor for McHenry County Sheriff.

Nygren, of course, was elected two years ago and has a term that does not expire until 2014.

Nevertheless, Zinke filed forms for his Political Action Committee on September 27, 2011.

Even before that, Zinke was appearing at political functions in his uniform.

Look closely and you can see him at this late August, 2011, Nunda Township Republican Central Committee meeting featuring State Party Chairman Pat Brady.

About a month later, Zinke used the Sheriff’s Department’s publicity agent of choice, the Northwest Herald, to announce he was running for the office. (You don’t have to guess why I entitled the article, “Guess Who the Northwest Herald Will Endorse to Replay Sheriff Keith Nygren.”)

The introducing of Zinke to the local political Establishment continued.

He and a woman I think was his wife attended the Port Edward fund raiser for the McHenry County Republican Central Committee in early October.

Sheriff Keith Nygren introduced him around.

Later in October, Zinke was there glad-handing police and fire officials at the Nunda Township Republican Party’s picnic honoring them.

By this time Zinke was not wearing his dress uniform.

In February, Zinke was back to dress whites when he attended a meeting of the McHenry County Business Committee, spear-headed by Nunda Township Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Brent Smith.

Indicating increasing favor on the part of McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon was Zinke’s selection to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner.

The most recent indication of how far Sheriff Nygren is willing to go to promote his underling is the newly-revamped web site of the Sheriff’s Department.

Comments under the story, turned into a story of its own, suggested it was part of Zinke’s campaign to replace Nygren.

But the best indication that Zinke’s supporters are going all-out to elect their man are the invitations to his late June fund raiser in Union.

Post cards went out throughout McHenry County.

As far as I know, each precinct committeeman got one.  (“No charge,” was the message.)

And, elected officials, plus police and fire officials, presumably from the McHenry County Yearbook listing, received invitations at their government’s address.

Why look up home addresses when one can just do it the easy way, I guess.

But the invitation wasn’t just send by first class post cards.

It arrived by email.

The email seem to have gone out June 14th.

At the bottom appears the following sentence:

It takes a lot of $25 contributors to equal the checks that State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay has received recently.

$10,000 came from the Stand Up for Children PAC Illinois, a Political Action Committee based in Bill Gates’ Oregon, last Friday, the day of opponent Cliff Surges’ Lake in the Hills $25 fundraiser.

There were other donations in the last week over $1,000, too:

• $10,000 – Stand For Children Illinois PAC, Portland, OR
• $5,000 – Allicott Company, Chicago
• $5,000 – Illinois Manufacturers Association,
• $5,000 – Ronald Gidwitz, Chicago
• $2,500 – Carol Boose, St. Charles
• $2,000 – Illinois State Medical Society PAC, Chicago
• $1,500 – Credit Union PAC, Naperville
• $1,250 – Margaret Parker, Administration, Elgin Community College, St. Charles
• $1,000 – Michael Bertsche, President, Camcraft, West Chicago
• $1,000 – Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC, Chicago

All of the above contributions of more than $1,000 came during February.

In contrast, here’s what Cliff Surges got in big money:

• $5,000 John Roeser, Engineer, Otto Engineering, Inc, Barrington
• $2,500 – Roy Surges, Jr, Enterprise Sales Executive, Allscript, St Charles
• $1,000 – Nicholas Gialamas, Forest Financial Group, President & CEO. Lake Forest

A press release from State Rep. candidate Danielle Rowe. She is running against State Rep. Kent Gaffney and David McSweeney.

Danielle Rowe’s “We the People” Fundraiser

Please join us at our “We the People” fundraiser to support Danielle Rowe, Republican candidate for State Representative, 52nd District from 6:00PM to 9:00PM on Sunday, February 19 at Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake, IL.

Tickets are only $20 per person and include a nacho, cheese and chili bar, a dessert bar, soft drinks, and 1 drink ticket for a beer or glass of wine.

We will have big screen TVs, Wii bowling, a raffle, door prizes and more. It will be fun, engaging and interactive, just like Danielle’s campaign.

Danielle Rowe is closer than ever to fighting for us in the General Assembly. You can play a huge role in bringing new, conservative leadership in Springfield.

Your support will help us grow Danielle’s campaign and continue to contact voters by phone, mail, online and in person.

We need to help Danielle get to Springfield to get Illinois moving in the right direction – Rowe’s Roadmap for Economic Revitalization in Illinois includes:

• Repeal the Democrats’ Tax Increase
• Reform Public Sector Pensions
• Reduce Runaway State Spending and Borrowing
• Restore a Business Climate that Respects Entrepeneurs and Creates Jobs

Please RSVP by clicking the green “Register” button above. This will let us know you are coming and you’ll receive a confirmation and and email reminder about the event. You can pay at the door by cash or check or you can buy your tickets online by making a donation at: https://www.danielleforil.com/donation/

If you are unable to attend the event, you can always help by volunteering for the campaign. Click here for more information and to volunteer.

Visit DanielleforIL.com for more information on Danielle and her campaign.

Here’s the invitation for the Thursday, February 16th, 6-8 PM fund raiser for Cliff Surges in Lake in the Hills’ Moretti’s. The price is $25.

The featured speaker will be former Republican gubernatorial aspirant Adam Andrzejewski.

Surges is running against Karen McConnaughay.

An email from the Joe Walsh campaign:

Dear Friends,

The battle begins.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently announced their “ Red to Blue” campaign which outlines the targeted districts where they intend to focus their energy this fall.

Joe Walsh is on the top of that list.

The DCCC claims,

“The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support.”

Make no mistake about it; this means the Democrats will to do everything they can to take out Joe Walsh.

His liberal opponent will have substantial financial backing and Nancy Pelosi, along with other Washington liberals, will attempt to influence this race.

Time and again, folks share the same concern with Joe when he is out on the campaign trail. The 8th District does not want a left-wing liberal who will vote for larger government and tax increases. They want someone who is going to fight for what they believe in and not back down.

True to form, Congressman Walsh recently received a perfect score from Americans for Prosperity because of his commitment to reducing the burdens government imposes on individuals and small businesses and because of his steadfast refusal to support any additional tax increases. [Emphasis in the original.]

Democrats have raised nearly $2 million so far in the Democrat primary; the winner will face Joe in November. Read the article here. In order for Joe to fight back against constant Democrat attacks, we need your financial support.

Pretty soon Democrats are going to start spending their money with negative campaign ads and mailings.

Joe will need to raise as much as he can to fight back and ensure the 8th District is not represented by someone who will continue to put this country further into debt.

Joe Walsh has been a target before and will continue to fight, but we need your continued support. Give a gift of $25, $50 or even $150 today to help Joe fight back! Let’s show the DCCC this is one name they can scratch off their target list.

Thank you,

The Walsh Campaign

Below are photos supplied by Ken Koehler’s re-election campaign.

McHenry County Board Chairman and District 2 candidate will hold a $75 a person “Makin’ Bacon for Ken Koehler” breakfast in Lake Geneva again this year.

Sponsoring the event are Jerry Schain & Tom Burney of Schain, Burney, Banks & Kenny, Ltd., and former McHenry County and Illinois Republican Party Chairman Al Jourdan.

The Host Committee is comprised of the following people:

• State Rep. and McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon
• State Senator Pamela J. Althoff
• Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley
• McHenry Mayor Susan E. Low
• Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager
• Lakewood President Erin Smith
• Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman
• Kane County Board Chairman and State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay

The text of the invitation reads,

On Saturday, February 4th, Representative Mike Tryon, Mayor Aaron Shepley, Tom Burney and Jerry Schain will be makin’ bakin’ for our friend Ken Koehler, and we invite you to join us for a breakfast in support of his re-election to the McHenry County Board.

There will be good food, lots of bacon, my famous Bloody Marys, and a lively discussion of local and world politics with Ken and our other guests.

Ken has been on the McHenry County Board since 2000 and has been the County Board Chairman since 2004.

In these difficult economic times, the residents of McHenry County can not afford to lose Ken’s leadership.

As Chairman, Ken has balanced the budget every year and has built emergency cash reserves. In the last three years, the County budget has shrunk.

He has also successfully secured tens of millions of dollars and has worked to foster responsible economic development, which has helped retain existing jobs and create new jobs for the citizens of McHenry County.

We hope to see you for breakfast on February 4th.

Sincerely,

Jerry Schain & Tom Burney

Please RSVP to Kelley at  krice@sbbklaw.com or call 312.345.5738.

John Hammerand has sent this invitation to his 5-7 PM fund raiser February 27th at the Grand Old Mill on the north end of Wonder Lake.  $40 is the suggested donation, with $15 for a guest.

And Republican Precinct Committeemen can come at no cost.