A prominent McLean County Republican thinks Democrats took control of the county board because, right now, they're better at the process of politics than the Central Illinois GOP.
Some observers have said changing demographics have helped make Bloomington-Normal a blue dot in the red sea of Central Illinois. Former McLean County Party chair Chuck Erickson said population shifts may matter a little, but there's a bigger reason several Republican candidates lost to Democrats.
"I think their campaigns are like major league campaigns and I think our campaigns are like single-A campaigns," said Erickson.
McLean County Party chair Dennis Grundler agreed, in part. He said the party needs to do more in certain respects.
“And [State Representative] Sharon Chung had a machine there, man! Churning those people out. That’s what the Republicans need to start focusing on, ballot harvesting and getting people to register and go,” said Grundler. “Because if not, we’re going to be looking at some more of the same.”
Erickson said there's a lack of candidate mentoring and support.
“I think their candidates are being coached extensively, and they're being assisted extensively by their party. I'm not certain our candidates are getting the same coaching or some of the same benefits their candidates are getting,” he said.
Erickson said party leaders need to teach prospective Republican candidates how to run a campaign, raise money, and answer media questions. He said he doesn't think that happened in this election cycle.
Grundler said the GOP has a variety of training programs, road maps for fundraising, and detailed voter data to share as well.
“We don’t have control over anybody’s candidacy. All we can do is offer our help and we absolutely do offer programs and help to get people up and running. Some of them take it and some of them don’t. Some of them take it….and then do something different,” chuckled Grundler.
He said some take advice from other people who think they know what they’re talking about.
“Other people that are maybe not on the executive board but say they’re Republican and they listen to them and don’t do our programs….and that doesn’t help,” said Grundler.
Erickson thinks the party also should have fewer litmus tests for candidates.
"Another criterion was what is their faith status? Hey, I'm an evangelical Christian. I believe in God. I believe all those things, too. But just because somebody believes in God doesn't necessarily make them a good candidate," said Erickson.
Grundler said there are not such litmus tests.
“I would like that, but no there is absolutely not. If someone gets enough signatures and says they’re Republican, they can file their petition,” said Grundler.
Erickson said the party needs to vet the desire of candidates to win. Candidate quality is key.
“You're not going to find perfect candidates, but you can find good candidates that are willing to do the work, and then also, when you do find the candidate, you have to make sure that they're the type of candidate that has to be a people person. You have to go out and knock on doors. There's no substitute for it for local races…and you got to be able to do it because they're doing it,” said Erickson.
Grundler said the party recruits candidates in a variety of ways, by looking at voter data to find regular voters, surveying people who could be considered party activists, word of mouth, Facebook, emails, and personal phone calls.
“Some of the problem is it’s hard to get people. You get run through the factory when you put your name out there. Some people just don’t want that,” said Grundler, adding the demographics issue is significant.
“It’s rough because if you look at Bloomington-Normal, we have a lot of education here. A lot of school districts, higher education, and a lot of that comes with a lot of people that vote more blue. Unions also a lot of times will vote more blue in areas. And with Rivian coming in and kind of being a green company, I think that brought some more Chicago Democrats down here,” said Grundler. “So, it’s very possible the demographics have changed where it’s harder.”
Erickson also addressed distinguishing factors of several county board contests.
District 5
In District 5, Democrat Buck Farley eked out a narrow win over incumbent Republican Randy Knapp. Knapp was a relative newcomer, appointed to fill a vacancy. Erickson said he did well, but suffered because there was another District 5 race at the same time featuring county board vice chair Elizabeth Johnston, a strong Democratic candidate who mentored Farley.
“He had Elizabeth Johnston over there helping him. She had run races over in that district as well, so her name recognition attached to the Democrats name. I think that pulled them over the top,” said Erickson.
The Farley-Knapp contest was to fill a two-year term for the vacancy created by the departure of former board chair John McIntyre.
“I don't know that anybody went and talked to Randy and said, Randy, here's what you got to do. You know, maybe you need to get John McIntyre, his name attached to you more you need to do something to make sure you're pulling that vote away from them,” said Erickson.
Grundler said there’s another important factor in play in that district.
“ISU had 3,500 people same-day register and vote. That’ll sway an election real quick,” said Grundler.
District 7
In the board race pitting Republican David Dunn against Democrat Val Laymon, Laymon had greater name recognition but District 7 is still potentially a swing seat, said Erickson.
“The Val Laymon district is a district that can still be won by a Republican, but we gotta fight for it,” said Erickson.
Grundler agreed with Erickson that District 7 is winnable. He said 10 is as well. Grundler said it’s hard to tell in District 9 because Susan Schafer did not ask for any help or take what was offered. Grundler said he hopes the GOP majority is not gone forever.
“If the Dems don’t cross the aisle with us and work together with us, I think that the tax and spend that they are normally known for people would finally get to a point where they can’t do it anymore and they would shift back. That sure didn’t happen this time,” said Grundler.
