McHenry County Blog

Chuck Keeshan of the Daily Herald is reporting that Ringwood Village President Rich Mack will challenge State Rep. Mike Tryon for the chairmanship of the McHenry County Republican Chairmanship.

Ironically, Mack bills himself as a “consensus builder.”

At least the two have that in common.

When I talked to Tryon, I got the distinct impression that was his approach, as well.

This morning in at a District 300 legislative breakfast, Tryon told me that the newspaper article was the first he had heard of a Mack challenge.

State Senator Pam Althoff told me that she thought it was “old news,” that he would not run for county chairman against Tryon.

They both said they didn’t think the party chairman should endorse primary candidates.

Current Chairman Bill LeFew, of course, actively recruited an opponent to incumbent Republican McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

That hasn’t happened since former GOP Chairman Al Jourdan recruited Cary county board member John Brehmer to run against me in the 1996 Republican primary election when he was thwarted from becoming chairman by Mike Tryon’s replacement of Dianne Klemm. Brehmer has moved from the area.

Mack works for Metra.

Chuck Keeshan of the Daily Herald is reporting that Ringwood Village President Rich Mack will challenge State Rep. Mike Tryon for the chairmanship of the McHenry County Republican Chairmanship.

Ironically, Mack bills himself as a “consensus builder.”

At least the two have that in common.

When I talked to Tryon, I got the distinct impression that was his approach, as well.

This morning in at a District 300 legislative breakfast, Tryon told me that the newspaper article was the first he had heard of a Mack challenge.

State Senator Pam Althoff told me that she thought it was “old news,” that he would not run for county chairman against Tryon.

They both said they didn’t think the party chairman should endorse primary candidates.

Current Chairman Bill LeFew, of course, actively recruited an opponent to incumbent Republican McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

That hasn’t happened since former GOP Chairman Al Jourdan recruited Cary county board member John Brehmer to run against me in the 1996 Republican primary election when he was thwarted from becoming chairman by Mike Tryon’s replacement of Dianne Klemm. Brehmer has moved from the area.

Mack works for Metra.

There were only a couple of contested Republican precinct committeeman contests, one in Ringwood and another in Algonquin.

Both had men challenging men who already held the post.

In McHenry Township precinct 1, Rich Mack, the Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was challenged by Brendan Murphy. He is the village president of Ringwood.

There was a really interesting rumor involving who stimulated Murphy’s candidacy. Email me the details, if you know them.

In Algonquin Township precinct 62, Carpentersville District 300 School Board member John Ryan was challenged by James Kelsch.

I’ve been told that there are vacancies Algonquin Township and that Kesch will be appointed to one of them.

There were only a couple of contested Republican precinct committeeman contests, one in Ringwood and another in Algonquin.

Both had men challenging men who already held the post.

In McHenry Township precinct 1, Rich Mack, the Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was challenged by Brendan Murphy. He is the village president of Ringwood.

There was a really interesting rumor involving who stimulated Murphy’s candidacy. Email me the details, if you know them.

In Algonquin Township precinct 62, Carpentersville District 300 School Board member John Ryan was challenged by James Kelsch.

I’ve been told that there are vacancies Algonquin Township and that Kesch will be appointed to one of them.

Friday afternoon only 41% of the county’s precincts had Republican candidate for precinct committeeman. After the filing period ended Monday afternoon, “only” 37% remained empty.

Contests have popped up in a couple of more precincts. There are now seven precincts with Republican Party candidates.

Here they are:

Algonquin 46 – Kathleen R. DeRaedt, 341 Alicia, versus Cary Grade School Board member Chris Jenner, 540 Spruce Tree Lane, both in Cary.

Algonquin 47 – William Charles Miller, 708 Merrimac, versus Rebecca M. Lee, Ivanhor, both of Cary. Lee is Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller’s and McHenry County Board member Anna Miller’s daughter.

Algonquin 62 – James D. Kelsch, 700 Southwick Dr., versus District 300 School Board member John Ryan, 740 Roaring Brook, both of Algonquin.

Grafton 2 – Former Lakewood Village President and Crystal Lake Park Board President J.S. “Scott” Breeden, 220 Richmond Lane, versus former Algonquin Township Supervisor Robert B. Vorisek, 1610 Broadway, both from Lakewood.

McHenry 1 – Brendan Murphy, 3819 Lincolnshire Dr. in McHenry, versus Ringwood Village President Richard E. Mack, of 5207 Kaylins Way.

Nunda 14 – Lawrence Pollastrini, 701 Old Westbury Road, versus Patrick R. Collins, 733 Providence Lane, both in Crystal Lake.

Seneca 1 – Senca Township Supervisor Ersel Schuster, 15,214 Kishwaukee Valley Road, versus R. Mark Gummerson, 1225 Dublin Ct., both of Woodstock.

Friday afternoon only 41% of the county’s precincts had Republican candidate for precinct committeeman. After the filing period ended Monday afternoon, “only” 37% remained empty.

Contests have popped up in a couple of more precincts. There are now seven precincts with Republican Party candidates.

Here they are:

Algonquin 46 – Kathleen R. DeRaedt, 341 Alicia, versus Cary Grade School Board member Chris Jenner, 540 Spruce Tree Lane, both in Cary.

Algonquin 47 – William Charles Miller, 708 Merrimac, versus Rebecca M. Lee, Ivanhor, both of Cary. Lee is Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller’s and McHenry County Board member Anna Miller’s daughter.

Algonquin 62 – James D. Kelsch, 700 Southwick Dr., versus District 300 School Board member John Ryan, 740 Roaring Brook, both of Algonquin.

Grafton 2 – Former Lakewood Village President and Crystal Lake Park Board President J.S. “Scott” Breeden, 220 Richmond Lane, versus former Algonquin Township Supervisor Robert B. Vorisek, 1610 Broadway, both from Lakewood.

McHenry 1 – Brendan Murphy, 3819 Lincolnshire Dr. in McHenry, versus Ringwood Village President Richard E. Mack, of 5207 Kaylins Way.

Nunda 14 – Lawrence Pollastrini, 701 Old Westbury Road, versus Patrick R. Collins, 733 Providence Lane, both in Crystal Lake.

Seneca 1 – Senca Township Supervisor Ersel Schuster, 15,214 Kishwaukee Valley Road, versus R. Mark Gummerson, 1225 Dublin Ct., both of Woodstock.