A press release from State Rep. Kent Gaffney:

Barrington Township Republican Organization Endorses Kent Gaffney for State Representative

Barrington, IL – The Barrington Township Republican Organization has endorsed State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) for the Republican nomination for State Representative in the new 52nd House District.

Gene Dawson, Barrington Township Republican Committeeman, congratulated Gaffney on earning the Organization’s endorsement.

Gene Dawson

“Kent impressed us with his extensive knowledge of state finances and his willingness to work with us to advance a fiscally conservative agenda for Illinois,” Dawson said. “With our state’s ongoing debt crisis, we need a true budget expert fighting for us in Springfield. Kent Gaffney has earned our endorsement and support in the Republican Primary for State Representative.”

Dawson explained that the Barrington Township Republican Organization hosted a Republican Candidates’ Night last Thursday.

The organization heard from Presidential, Congressional, State, County and Judicial candidates on their campaign platforms.

Kent Gaffney

They then met on Saturday to review the candidates and to endorse in these contests.

The Barrington Township Republican Organization’s endorsement brings Kent Gaffney’s total endorsements to 40 Republican leaders and organizations from all four counties in the 52nd District.

“I want to thank the Barrington Township Republicans for their trust and support,” Gaffney said. “I look forward to working with them to spread our Republican message of accountability, fiscal responsibility and real reform.”

Barrington Township is the northwestern most township in Cook County and includes the villages of Barrington, Barrington Hills, East Dundee, Hoffman Estates, Inverness and South Barrington.

The Barrington Township Republican Organization serves to champion conservative causes through helping Republican candidates campaign and win elections and engaging the community on political issues.

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Unlike party organizations outside of Cook County, those within, like Barrington Township, do not have elected precinct committeemen from each precinct. A Township Committeeman is elected for each township in Cook. That Township Committeeman appoints Precinct Captains for each precinct.

Dawson joined with McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Tryon to select Gaffney to fill the vacancy caused by the death of State Rep. Mark Beaubien.

Danielle Row and David McSweeney are Gaffney’s opponents for the 2013-15 state rep. term.

Mike Tryon

This is the second part of the Mike Tryon Fish Boil story.  Part 1 is here.

Mike Tryon gave a short talk at his third Huntley Fish Boil.

Then, he introduced the elected officials.

After he was finished with the introductions, he turned the microphone over to 14th District Congressman Randy Hultgren.

Illinois Democrats put all of McHenry County into the 14th District, except for Algonquin Township, the county’s largest.

Hultgren took the stage, so to speak, and excoriated Washington Democrats.

Congressman Randy Hultgren addressed the Fish Boil crowd.

Perhaps indicative of a turf battle to come in the March 2012 Republican primary election, Helene Walsh, wife of 8th District Congressman Joe Walsh was also in attendance.

McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano talks with Helene Walsh.

Shawn Green who said he was "probably" going to run for County Board draws toddler duties as his wife takes care of the two-month old.

Jim Schlader was caught clapping during one of the speeches.

Besides Provenzano, I spotted two other candidates for the McHenry County Board–Jim Schlader of District 3 and Shawn Green of District 6.

There were also non-partisan elected officials on hand.

I don’t know the players as well as I used to, but I did spot Fox River Grove Village President Robert Nunamaker and his wife.

Fox River Grove Robert Nunamaker and his wife.

None of Fox River Grove will be in Tryon’s new district.

Mike Skala and T.R. Smith examine a map of Mike Tryon's new district.

In addition, long-time Huntley School District 158 Board member Mike Skala was at the Fish Boil.

I recognized two township officials besides County Board candidate Schlader, but I image there were more.

Dr Anne Majewski

McHenry Township Trustee Kathy Kuchta, who is also Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was present. S

So was Nunda Township Trustee Lee Jennings.

As I mentioned previously, Dr. Anne Majewski was campaigning for the McHenry County Coroner vacancy that Marlene Lantz’s retirement makes possible.

There was also Barrington Township Committeeman Gene Dawson, also the Republican State Central Committeeman for the 8th Congressional District, in attendance.

Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay meets 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman Gene Dawson. Former Nunda Township Trustee, McHenry County and Lake Village Board member Blake Hobson made the introduction.

Finally, you know how I like messages, most of which I find on tee shirts.

One of the servers was wearing a Hastert congressional tee shirt. I didn’t think to ask her if it was from two years ago (when Hultgren beat Denny Hastert’s son Ethan) or from when the father represented Coral Township, where the young women lives and knew that it had been in Hastert’s original district.

I couldn't pass up this political tee shirt advertising Hastert.

Mike Tryon gave a short speech at his Huntley Fish Boil.

What does one do when one has no announced opponent for State Representative?

You know you have to keep raising money, because the Republican GOP Leader in Springfield tries to assess you for thousands to use in marginal races. ($2,500 a year when I was there, probably $10,000 now.)

And, you want to be able to contribute significant amounts to candidates you support.

Undoubtedly there are even more expenses to be met because of Tryon’s role as McHenry County Republican Central Committee Chairman.

So you hold the fund raisers you have held before, hoping that people will continue to support you financially.

Early in the 5-9 informal fund raiser, Tryon was at the gate on the sidewalk in front of where money was being collected.

Later, he mingled inside the beer garden.

Because it is an election year, there were candidates drawn to the affair.

Two announced candidate for the empty State Senate district in which Tryon is running for State Representative were in attendance:

Kane County Board Chairman and State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay talks with Dan Plote.

• Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay and
• former Rutland Township Trustee Chad Koppie.

State Senate candidate Chad Koppie was at the gate while former State Senator Jack Schaffer was signing in with Cheryl Meyer.

There were plenty of McHenry County Officials.

A ring of women power was sighted. From left to right are Chief Deputy Treasurer and Secretary of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee Glenda Miller, head of the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee Rebecca Lee, Auditor Pam Palmer and Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters. Although attending, McHenry County Clerk Kathie Schultz missed being in this photo.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi was introduced.

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi waves as he is introduced. To his right is Congressman Randy Hultgren. McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Cheryl Meyer can be seen to Bianchi's left. At the table are Huntley Village Trustee Pam Fender and Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager.

Ken Koehler was introduced as not only the Chairman of the McHenry County Board, but also the Treasurer of Tryon’s political action committee since its inception.

Congressman Randy Hultgren and McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi applaud as Ken Koehler is introducted.

McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler, who seeks to be the next State Representative from the 64th District, the number of Tryon’s current district, was at the Fish Boil.

State Rep. candidate Barbara Wheeler was seen talking to Kim Keefe, the President-Elect of the McHenry County Board of Realtors.

More tomorrow.

Since all in McHenry County but Algonquin Township are among those who reside in the new 14th Congressional District, I thought the followed email from Congressman Randy Hultgren might be of interest:

It’s been a great month so far back in the 14th District. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out to my town hall meetings this month. We may not agree on all of the issues, but it means so much to me that you are willing to be engaged in the process and have your opinions heard on the issues most important to you.

This photo has four congressional districts represented. 14th District Congressman Randy Hultgren talks with 8th Congressional District State Central and Barrington Township Committeeman Gene Dawson. Dawson's home and mine are located in Peter Roskam's new 6th Congressional District under the Democrats' reapportionment plan. The photo was taken at State Rep. Mike Tryon's Huntley Fish Boil, which is now located in Don Manzullo's 16th District. Grafton Township is located in the new 14th District. Christy Hultgren and the couple's children are also in the shot.

Please remember that I am holding another town hall meeting on Monday, August 29, in the Yorkville City Council Chambers at 6:00 pm. Hope to see you there.

I’ve always said that some of my most important work is done back home in Illinois, and that’s absolutely been the case this August. While I’ve been home, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of constituents through one-on-one meetings, speeches to different groups and organizations, and local business tours.

I was particularly proud to be joined earlier this month in Oswego by State Rep. Tom Cross, Oswego Mayor Brian LeClercq and Metra CEO Alex Clifford to announce that Metra is moving forward with the Phase 1 Engineering studies to advance a project to extend commuter rail service to Oswego.

This project will be a huge victory for a region that has seen incredible growth over the past decade by helping to ease congestion on our expressways and providing a huge economic boost to the entire area.

I’d like to thank the students at Northern Illinois University for welcoming me to campus last week. I’m truly impressed by the work of these students. They are great representatives of the area, the 14th District and the state of Illinois and I wish them the best of luck as they begin to pursue their chosen careers.

If you haven’t already, be sure to “like” my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or check out my YouTube page to stay informed on everything I’m doing on your behalf in Washington and in Illinois. Also, I’ve updated my Facebook page with dozens of pictures from my meetings throughout the district this month – be sure to check it out.

As always, it is truly an honor to serve you in Washington. Please contact me at 630.232.7104 or 202.225.2976 if I can be of assistance, or if you’d like to share your thoughts on the issues before Congress.

In service,

Randy Hultgren
Member of Congress

Hultgren in the News

Randy Hultgren Pays Visit to Batavia Business

Hultgren reflects on first year in Congress

Hultgren addresses Elgin chamber on jobs, D.C. politics

Oswego Metra station still chugging on the slow track

Hultgren bids for constituents’ respect, whether they support him or not

Hultgren, state legislators address senior issues

Guess I didn’t read Eric Peterson’s Daily Herald article about Kent Gaffney’s replacing State Rep. Mark Beaubien carefully enough.

In my article on the House Appropriations Committee Budget Director’s advancement from staff member to state legislator, I missed the apparent fact that he is a social moderate.

Kent Gaffney

The Daily Herald reports Gaffney “does believe government should stay out of what ought to be citizens’ personal choices about their lives.”
Beabien’s wife Dee said Kent was “a moderate like Mark.” The reported said Beaubien believed “some in the Lake County Republican contingent were hoping for someone more conservative on social issues.’

Beaubian was a consistent opponent of restrictions on abortion and voted for the civil union bill that just became effective June 1st.

In McHenry County, about twenty-five couples filed civil union paperwork with the McHenry County Clerk in June.

The article also says Gaffney moved from Springfield, where he was born, “only a few years ago.”

Although the vote among the three pro-life Republican Party leaders was not taken in public, it was McHenry County Republican Chairman and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s almost 50% vote combined with the tiny weighted vote of Barrington Township and 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman Gene Dawson that created the necessary majority to appoint Gaffney.

Assuming that Gaffney is as pro-choice as Beaubien was, he will have the support of Personal PAC. Personal PAC specializes in hiring phone banks to call every woman in a legislative district asking if they are “pro-choice.” Turning out that “base” consists of the guts of the political action committee’s campaign.

That strategy can work in suburban districts when more than two social conservatives run for the same legislative office.

I speculated early on that a female pro-choice candidate from Crystal Lake could win the primary election to replace Beaubien.

Besides having the support of Personal PAC, she would, of course, have had the five percentage point advantage. Research over my political career has led me to believe that a woman has a five percentage point advantage over a man in the Northwest suburbs.

Gaffney, of course, will not have that advantage.

52nd District State Representative Map from 2002 through 2010 election. Click to enlarge. Map by Elgin-based political consultant Drew Veeneman.

If you live in the current 52nd state representative seat in which Mark Beaubien served and are interested in serving out the remainder of his term, applications will be taken by the three men who will make the choice.

Mark Beaubien

They are

• Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bob Cook
• McHenry County publican Central Committee Chairman Mike Tryon
• Barrington Township Republican Committeeman Gene Dawson

On at least the Lake County and McHenry County GOP web sites a place will be found to make such an application.

The three will try to reach a consensus, according to Tryon, but in the event they cannot, the voting strength is such that Dawson will be the tie-breaker if Tryon and Cook disagree.

McHenry County has 45% of the fall ballots, which is what is used to apportion appointment power.  Lake County has 48%, while Barrington Township has the remaining 7%.

So, what are the Republican leaders looking for?

The law requires the person selected be in the current 52nd state rep. district.

If the person selected does not live in the new district, he or she must be willing to move there should they win the GOP primary next spring.

52nd District map prepared by Elgin-based political consultant Drew Veeneman. Click to enlarge.

The ideal candidate will have a commitment to the Republican Party and “Republican movement,” Tryon told me.

The person must be able to raise money and fund campaigns.

The person must currently hold elective office, have done so in the past or “held community service positions equivalent to having held elective office,” again quoting the McHenry County Republican Chairman.

The person selected must successfully complete a background check.

Demonstration of an adequate knowledge of issues facing Illinois is required, as is the ability to communicate them.

Finally, the leaders seek an ability to work with legislators, community leaders and party officials.

Tryon noted that the new 52nd District in comprised of 60% McHenry County votes, 30% Lake County and the rest in Cook and Kane Counties.  He expects most of the growth in the next ten years to come from outside of McHenry County.

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Tomorrow I’ll reveal name of those who have already made contact, plus one that might. If you would like to make sure you’re name is on the list, email McHenry County Blog.

From left to right are seen the 2010-2012 McHenry County Republican Central Committee leadership: Chairman Mike Tryon, Secretary Glenda Miller, Vice Chairwoman Kathy Kuchta and Treasurer Fred Wickham.

The leadership team of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee will be the same as it has been the last two years.

Mike Tryon addressing committeemen after his re-election as chairman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake continues as Chairman.

Vice Chairwoman will be McHenry’s Kathy Kuchta.

Harvard’s Glenda Miller will be Secretary.

Fred Wickham, who won a contest two years ago will again be Treasurer.

Likewise there was no contest for 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman. All present voted for Barrington Township’s Gene Dawson.

With the empty precincts added in, pursuant to passage of a motion earlier in the night, Dawson received 10,134 votes in his attempt to turn back a challenge by the Schaumburg Township Committeeman, Michael Adelizzi.

In the race for the 16th Congressional District Committeemanship, the race was more interesting.

Cal Skinner made a pitch for Joe Wiegand, pointing out that he had never seen incumbent Dave Syverson during the past two years since he had joined the Central Committee for the third time. He said that Wiegand’s lack of a public office gave him the time to do much more than a state senator could.

Jack Schaffer spoke for Syverson, explaining that he was a respected leader on the Republican State Central Committee.  He added that Syverson had been in Congressman Don Manzullo’s Sunday School class.

Tom Zanck supporting Joe Wiegand's candidacy.

After Schaffer, Tom Zanck asked if he could second Wiegand’s nomination and was granted that wish.

“I don’t agree with Cal Skinner on anything, but I agree with him on Joe Wiegand,” he said. Zanck said he had worked with Wiegand in the campaign to defeat the establishment of a Kishwaukee Water Authority and praised his imagination, thoroughness and initiative.

A not-so-secret ballot was taken instead of a roll call, resulting in Syverson getting 4,054 votes and Wiegand 2,554.  (Because each precinct committee had the number of Republican votes cast in his precinct, the way people voted had to be known to the canvass team.)

After the vote Chairman Tryon asked if anyone wanted to switch to the winner and Dan Shea and Patrick Collins did, leaving the tally at 4,347 to 2,261.

Adding in the precinct totals of precincts where no vote was cast, Syverson ended up with a margin of 11,428. The total vote of precincts not represented because the elected committeeman did not show up or because no one ran for precinct committeeman was 9,342 votes.

15,950 people voted in the GOP primary in Congressman Don Manzullo’s part of McHenry County, but only 6,608 of them had elected precinct committeemen present at the meeting.

That means there is plenty of room for volunteers. If you would like your name passed on, you can email McHenry County Blog. The email is on the upper left hand side of this page.

Mike Tryon hand microphone to Jack Schaffer, who chaired gubernatorial winner Bill Brady's McHenry County campaign.

Schaffer, who chaired Bill Brady’s McHenry County campaign, told the party representatives that Brady was leading Kirk Dillard by 246 votes by Brady’s count.

“We think Brady will be the winner,” the former Central Committee Chairman said.

Brady is expected to be in Chicago shaking hands at the Union Pacific train station Friday morning and do a fly-around on Monday. The closest landing will be in Rockford.

Extolling the virtues of his candidate, Schaffer said, “His family is from Central Casting.”

Describing his principles, his spokesman described them as “solid.”

Schaffer also said that he his answers frustrate the media.

When asked a question about social values, he says,

”I am who I am.“

Then, he starts talking about the problems of the day.

“We stand at the brink,” Schaffer said. “The demographics are running against us. We have a chance. The Democrats have done everything for us but raise money…and Blagojevich is still working for us.

“If we can’t prevail this year, I don’t know when we ever will again.

“I won’t say, ‘It’s now or never,’  but you guys will all be as old as I am when we get the next chance.”

Republican County Board candidtes, from left to right, Nick Provenzano, Diane evertson, John Jung, Tina Hill and Donna Kurtz.

John O'Neill, who is a candidate for state representative against Democrat Jack Franks, makes pitch for attendance at his corn beef and cabbage Bull Valley Country Club fund raiser Monday, March 15th.

Tryon then introduced the county board candidates in attendance and let state representative candidate John O’Neill make a pitch for his March 15th corn beef and cabbage fund raiser at the Bull Valley Country Club.

Young Republican President Bryan Javor announcing he would not be running for re-election.

McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor took the opportunity to announce he was not running for re-election, but, pointing to the county board candidates,  instead “would work to get these guys elected.”

Then, Tryon headed back to Springfield for session on Thursday.

He had left 1 PM Wednesday afternoon to drive up to Woodstock.

The McHenry Township Republican Central Committee organized February 15th.

Here is the leadership team that was selected:

• Chairman: Rick Mack
• Vice Chairman: Kathleen Kuchta
• Secretary: Marsha Nelson
• Treasurer: Craig Adams

8th Congressional District Committeeman Gene Dawson, 8th Congressional District Republican candidate for Congress Joe Walsh, and State Representative candidate John O’Neill spoke seeking support from the precinct committeemen and guests.

The Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee held a fund raiser at Arlington Park Race Track on Friday afternoon. From left to right, I recognize 8th Congressional District State Central and Barrington Township Committeeman and Supervisor Gene Dawson, Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairwoman Karla Dobbeck, State Rep. Mike Tryon and McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters.

Business attire requested, “but people really didn’t follow it,” my wife told me.

It appeared to be an event that elected officials thought would be good to attend. Sitting to the right of McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz and Recorder of Deeds Walters is appointed Supervisor of Assessments Donna Mayberry.

Maybe that is because Algonquin Township is McHenry County’s largest. Good to have activity on your side of any committeemen who might do more than send a letter.

And, there are still some of those.

Lou Bianchi posed with Lou, Nichole Owens, chief of the criminal division and
Karen Rhodes, his secretary.

State Representatives Mike Tryon and Mark Beaubien (with wife Dee) were in attendance.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and husband Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller talk with a standing Tom McDermott.

McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz can be seen sitting to the left of her mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz.

McHenry County Board members Anna Miller and Tina Hill pose for the camera.

Here are others who were noticed by my sources:

And above is the woman who put the fund raiser together, Karla Dobbeck, with her husband Jim.

The Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee held a fund raiser at Arlington Park Race Track on Friday afternoon. From left to right, I recognize 8th Congressional District State Central and Barrington Township Committeeman and Supervisor Gene Dawson, Algonquin Township Central Committee Chairwoman Karla Dobbeck, State Rep. Mike Tryon and McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters.

Business attire requested, “but people really didn’t follow it,” my wife told me.

It appeared to be an event that elected officials thought would be good to attend. Sitting to the right of McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz and Recorder of Deeds Walters is appointed Supervisor of Assessments Donna Mayberry.

Maybe that is because Algonquin Township is McHenry County’s largest. Good to have activity on your side of any committeemen who might do more than send a letter.

And, there are still some of those.

Lou Bianchi posed with Lou, Nichole Owens, chief of the criminal division and
Karen Rhodes, his secretary.

State Representatives Mike Tryon and Mark Beaubien (with wife Dee) were in attendance.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and husband Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller talk with a standing Tom McDermott.

McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz can be seen sitting to the left of her mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz.

McHenry County Board members Anna Miller and Tina Hill pose for the camera.

Here are others who were noticed by my sources:

And above is the woman who put the fund raiser together, Karla Dobbeck, with her husband Jim.