“Happy Republican Day!” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, greeted the crowd gathered Aug. 20 on the Illinois State Fair Director’s Lawn.
McCombie, like the other speakers, focused her messaging on affordability and ethics, while staying silent on President Donald Trump, during the annual party rally.
“The summer of corruption has shown us exactly where the Democrat majority priorities are,” McCombie said. “Their goal is to protect themselves instead of protecting you, the people they serve.”
The minority leader had recent examples to share, such as Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who’s been heavily criticized for his handling of sexual harassment allegations against former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield.
“He did nothing and then spent $1.4 million to put that creep back in office,” she said.
McCombie also referred to Rep. Carol Ammons of Champaign and her husband, who face federal corruption charges. They both have pleaded not guilty. Earlier this month, an Illinois House committee met to open an investigation into the allegations made against the legislator.
McCombie defined what Republicans stood for in contrast to Democrats, whom she described as corrupt and interested only in raising taxes.
“We’re for affordability, accountability, growth, and underneath it all, honesty,” she said.
She said Illinoisans ask their government for the following basics: “Tell the truth, follow the rules, take responsibility.”
When Illinois Times asked if the Illinois Republican standard she described applied to Trump, the party standard-bearer, who has faced charges of sexual harassment and abuse, and regularly draws ethical and conflict of interest complaints, McCombie pivoted.
“I bring it right back to Illinois, because this is where we live,” she said.
McCombie said all elected officials, including herself, should be held to a higher standard.
“So, he (Welch) is right here in our backyard, and he should not be leading our state,” she said. “And, this is what I can control here. I can’t control D.C. I have no input there other than as a voter, as a citizen.”
Cindy Gleason, Logan County GOP Chair, said McCombie’s speech resonated with her.
“It’s the best speech I’ve ever heard her give, and her talking about the accusations and the mess that the Democrats have made in Springfield,” she said.
Gleason, a candidate for Logan County Board, District 3, said she’s a huge supporter of Trump, even as he faces a slew of allegations.
“I still stand with my president,” she said.
Gleason said she supports Trump’s push to get the Save Act passed through Congress. The bill would require voters to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, when registering to vote and show an ID at the polls. Critics say the bill, if passed, would create barriers for voting. Reports find that cases of noncitizens voting are rare.
Gleason and other members of the Logan County Republican party posed with Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor.
The former state Senator from southern Illinois told Illinois Times that Republicans will have to expand their outreach to have some success in Illinois. No Republican holds a statewide seat and Democrats have supermajority in the legislature.
“We’ve been isolated amongst ourselves,” Bailey said. “We’re in the stage now where we (Republicans) need to start working more with independents, moderate Democrats, because everybody’s suffering. Illinois is too expensive to live in.”
