Joliet Herald 2-04-2008

GOP out in force for precinct jobs

MORRIS

February 4, 2008

By CHRISTINA CHAPMAN Staff Writer

MORRIS -- There were 41 precincts in the 2006 primary, but only 11 Republicans ran for precinct committeeman. In this year's primary, Republican interest has surged, with 49 candidates -- almost half of which are write-ins -- running in 42 precincts.

"There is a lot of interest from the Republicans. We don't often have party races for precinct committeeman," Grundy County Clerk Lana Phillips said.

Phillips said she has not seen anything like this in her more than 30 years as clerk.

A precinct committeeman is in charge of going door-to-door to get the word out on candidates. In addition, they bring residents' concerns to candidates and officials.

Of 42 precincts, there are five precincts with contested races, three with write-in races and one precinct with a ballot candidate and a write-in candidate

Speculation

With such a development, backroom talk around town has Republicans and other politicians wondering if an attempt to take over of the Grundy County Republican Party is in the works. Some have even speculated that David McAloon, a Republican candidate challenging incumbent state Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Morris, is behind the precinct races.

"I'm so thrilled and encouraged to see so many people who want to be involved," McAloon said. "(From what I have heard) there is no concerted effort to dispose of anybody."

McAloon said he has been approached by five or six people interested in what a committeeman does and how to go about getting elected, but he has not recruited candidates.

Seeking change

Several of the new candidates agree on their reason for running: they want more representation.

"I think (the party) needs to be built up. My precinct is swinging to the Democrats. There is no representation here," said Branko "Bronco" Bojovic, who is running in precinct Saratoga 3. His wife, Sheila Bojovic, is running in the primary for a Republican spot on the county board in District 2

Bojovic said he has lived in Morris for almost two years and has never had anyone knock on his door to talk to him about city or county issues.

Curt Mercadante, current precinct committeeman and candidate for precinct Erienna 1 and for county board District 1, agrees.

"I think people are saying, 'How do we change this?'" Mercadante said.

"I was excited to see (all the candidates)," Mercadante said. "I think I've been a good precinct committeeman, but if I'm not, I won't win."

Mercadante said there has been a statewide movement to recruit committeemen.

Progress

Newcomers and current party leadership agree: The more interested people the better, no matter the reason.

"I think this speaks well for the party," said Grundy GOP Chairman John Peacock. "There is substantially more people who are and want to get involved with the party, some who have not been involved before, which is good."

Peacock admits in the past the party has not had enough precinct committeemen, but said since he became chairman in December 2006, he has made progress in several areas, including recruitment.

"We recruited a substantial number of people running on the ballot as well as write-ins," Peacock said.

Local GOP grows

The GOP's Century Club, which requires a $100 donation, has increased from 43 members to 87 in the past year; next year's goal is 125 members. And the Grundy County Young Republicans group was restarted.

Peacock said the party increased its budget by more than $50,000 this year. When he became chairman, the budget was in the negative, he said.

Another victory for the party was when Republican Don Matteson was elected alderman of the 3rd Ward on the Morris City Council, a seat formerly held by a Democrat Brian Feeney. Matteson beat Democrat Tom Talarico for the position.

"We have a new situation with a relatively new chairman and with this the organization has a long way to go to get to the point we need to get to, but we've made progress in the last year," Peacock said. "We have a lot of people working hard together and continue to reach out to all the parts of the county."

Christina Chapman can be reached at (815) 729-6172 or cchapman@scn1.com