Party Chairs Remain

The leadership of the local county party organizations remained unchanged in the latest caucuses. From the News-Gazette today:

Champaign Dem chair opponents team up to be 'best leadership for party'

The two announced candidates for chair of the Champaign County Democratic Party avoided a potentially fractious contested election Wednesday night and jointly endorsed a slate that keeps Maryam Ar-Raheem head of the party and Michelle Jett first vice chair.

Jett announced last month she would challenge Ar-Raheem, who became head of the party two years ago. But she said that soon after she decided to challenge Ar-Raheem, the two began meeting regularly.

“Very early on, we had two things come out immediately: that we had the exact same goals, which is a strong, unified, effective party going forward, particularly for November but well beyond that as well,” said Jett, who also is chief of staff to state Rep. Carol Ammons. “And the other thing we figured out real quick that we agreed on is that we have two vastly different skill sets. So the thing we came away from that with is that we work together to be the best leadership for the party...

County Republicans, meeting at the Brookens Administrative Center in Urbana, re-elected Mark Ballard to a second term as party chairman. He was unopposed. Other officers chosen include Katie Blakeman and Gordy Hulten, vice chairs; Joan Dykstra, secretary; and John Farney, treasurer.

The Democratic leadership slate includes Ar-Raheem as chair, Jett as first vice chair, Wayne Williams as second vice chair and Robert Naiman as third vice chair. Chris Stohr will be party secretary and Jessica LaRosa will be treasurer.

Full article here.