Illinois GOP leaders to watch in 2024
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Photo illustration: Maura Losch/Axios. Photos: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
Republicans begin Day 2 of the RNC Tuesday with excitement over their new vice presidential pick, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.
The big picture: Unity has been the main message at the historic convention, which comes just days after an assassination attempt on presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The vibe: If a local Republican had a problem with the direction of the party before, officials have signaled that this convention is not the place to air those grievances.
What they're saying: "Before the convention, I thought we were coming in unified," U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) tells Axios. "But after the events on Saturday, seeing the courage and resiliency of President Trump, we are even more unified than ever."
Flashback: The local party is very different from when Republicans ran Illinois in the 1980s and 1990s. Gone are stalwarts like former Gov. Jim Edgar and state lawmakers Judy Baar Topinka and Jim Durkin.
- The Illinois GOP hasn't held a statewide elected office since the end of Gov. Bruce Rauner's term in 2019.
Reality check: Even with the recent turmoil, the prospect of winning back control of the General Assembly or wrestling away a congressional seat are slim to none in 2024.
Yes, but: The new crop of Illinois Republicans is looking to rebuild. Here are five of the faces energizing the party:
Mary Miller
U.S. House of Representatives
The current Illinois GOP congressional delegation has just three members since Democrats redrew the legislative districts in 2021: Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Darin LaHood and Rep. Mary Miller.
- Miller is unapologetically MAGA, rising the ranks nationally and speaking out on big Republican issues like immigration and gun control.
- She survived the 2021 redistricting and will get some national media face time this week.
Kathy Salvi
Incoming chair of Illinois GOP Party
Before this weekend, Salvi was known to voters for running unsuccessfully for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Salvi has a recognizable name in Illinois, as the Salvi family has been operating out of the Northwest suburbs for decades.
- Salvi is known as a connector, a skill she will need to bring together factions of the party that ultimately forced out the last GOP chair.
Tony McCombie
Minority leader, Illinois House
McCombie leads the party in the Illinois House, which only controls 40 of the 118 seats. State Democrats have a stranglehold on the legislative map, leading to a super majority.
Yes, but: McCombie is a fresh face who stands to gain some power if Republicans can win back seats in the General Assembly this November.
Aaron Del Mar
Palatine Township committeeman
Del Mar was a finalist to take over the Illinois party, but lost out to Salvi.
Yes, but: The young Cook County delegate is getting more face time in front of the cameras after a failed run for lieutenant governor in 2022.
The Uihleins
GOP donors
The donors who fund the politicians running for office often have a lot of influence. In Illinois, billionaires Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein are the top Republican donors, now that Ken Griffin has moved out of state.
- They have given $10 million to Trump Super PAC and are the main donors for most Illinois Republican candidates, dating back to Rauner.