IL Republican State Convention Returns To The Metro East For The First Time In 20 Years

by Stephanie Malench

COLLINSVILLE — For the first time in 20 years, the Illinois Republican State Convention held its convention in Collinsville at the Gateway Convention Center on May 24 and 25.

The Illinois Democratic State Convention is not known to have ever been held south of Springfield, definitely not in the past 50 years, according to Debbie Ming-Mendoza, Madison County Central Democratic Chairman.

The two day event included events geared towards Republicans from across Illinois running for a variety of trainings on topics important for running a successful campaign ending in winning their seat. Topics included using the Numinar app to track campaign data, election integrity/building county task forces, Artificial Intelligence and elections, working with your county clerk, messaging, and more.

The Artificial Intelligence and elections training had important information for the general public, whether they are running for office, volunteering for any of the political parties, or are just a citizen that wants to be educated. First, Illinois has only made deep fakes (digital “reproductions” of people) illegal when the images are sexually explicit. This means that deep fakes of any political figure, candidate, or celebrity is not illegal, and you should do your research before believing what you see, especially on social media and websites that are not operated by a mainstream news source or the candidate. In Illinois it is illegal, however, to take pictures of ballots or inside election facilities and to send out AI robocalls (FCC rule- nationwide).

As the host county for the convention, three Madison County leaders presented on Turning Madison County Red. Seasoned political operative and candidate for Madison County Circuit Clerk Patrick McCrae, Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser, and Madison County Auditor David Michael presented on what tactics they used to convert Madison County from decades of Democratic leadership to Republican controlled beginning in 2016 when they secured the majority on the Madison County Board and Board Chair.

In 2022, Republicans had their first big win taking over the County Clerk/Recorder seat defeating long-time incumbent Debbie Ming-Mendoza. McCrae said that was a turning point for Madison County Republicans to successfully win a seat from a popular incumbent. The only elected office not held by a Republican at this time is the Coroner, Democrat Stephen Nonn, who is retiring. At press time, the Democrats have not slated anyone to run for the seat in November, meaning Republican Nick Novacich will win the last elected office.

Slusser, who is currently running unopposed for Madison County Board Chair, said the Republicans have achieved all of this on shoestring budgets by making efficient use of over 100 precinct committee people around the county to knock on doors of constituents distributing campaign literature that contains sourced information and no personal attacks. “You have to visualize your victory. What does it look like on election night when you win?”

Strategy wise, Slusser attributes the Republicans success has been selecting issues that 90% of all voters will agree with no matter which party they usually vote for. Examples given of 90/10 issues are property taxes and double dipping on pensions. Slusser informed the audience that when the Republicans took over the board in 2016, they cut $1.8 million from the budget and have increased services by taking money that had been wastefully spent and reappropriating it to public safety programs.  The tax rate has not increased in that time.

Another strategy the Republicans have used is asking voters for their thoughts on issues through ballot initiatives. The first, in 2013 stopped the Democrats from purchasing bonds to pay for needed jail renovations by collecting 23,000 signatures in 30 days needed to put the issue on the ballot for voters. The voters rejected the bond purchase 2:1 and the renovations were completed using $14,000 from general funds, saving $27 million dollars including interest. Voters also approved eliminating the Recorder of Deeds position and giving the duties to the County Clerk’s duties.

On Saturday, nearly 600 delegates, vendors, and guests gathered to listen to leading Republican elected officials and party leadership get pumped up for the five months leading up to the November 5 general election. Many indicated by a show of hands that this was their first Illinois Republican State Convention.

Prior to the presentations, The Collinsville VFW did the presentation of colors as Republican National Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Republican Central Committee Chair Rhonda Belford sang the National Anthem. Revive Church Pastor Myles Holmes then gave the invocation and Collinsville Mayor Jeff Stehman welcomed everyone to the city. The rest of the meeting was the business of committee reports and the delegates officially endorsing Donald Trump for President.