Republican Women of Champaign County

The local county GOP announced a new group meeting today named and for the Republican Women of Champaign County. The group hopes to help support Republican women running for GOP political offices, but also connect Republican women to campaign activities and organization tools. Men can be members, but they can't be on the governing board or have an organizational vote. They hope to become federated with the state level Illinois Federation of Republican Women which would open up more avenues to share resources and funding opportunities.

Today's meeting was led by Linda Yoakum (also president of the state level IFRW) and Republican Mayor of Savoy Joan Dykstra. They introduced themselves and explained the purpose and mission of the group before introducing their guest speaker, Andrew Minik, the RNC field director for Illinois' 13th Congressional District. He talked about his previous work with Turning Point USA on campus and how he went from being asked to be a treasurer for the group to a couple years later being heavily involved in Republican politics and working for the RNC.

The presentation was split up talking about being on the "front lines of the culture war" on campus and the political struggles faced by conservatives contending with generally more liberal University culture from students to the administration and some of the colleges and staff. He explained the importance of canvassing and the human factor of getting out the vote. On that much local partisans can certainly agree. Reaching out and talking to people and getting to know their concerns and needs is the most effective way to help turnout.

A lot of the discussion was geared towards the federal congressional race between Republican incumbent Rodney Davis and Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, but down ballot races such as the County Board races and coordinating to help get information out in canvassing about them was also raised. Republican Richard J. Montgomery, candidate for the County District 6 seat against Democratic primary winner Mike Ingram was there. The guys from the Champaign County Voter Alliance were there as well and let me know that Montgomery has a Questionnaire in on their candidate guide, so I'll have updates coming soon.

Overall the women of the group appeared very passionate and excited to take on the Democrats in the ground game of the upcoming midterms. In this often purple county within a contested congressional district, it appears that both parties are very activated and ready to put in the work.

There's an event for some of the Democratic Party candidates for county offices tonight in Savoy tonight at 6:30pm (event details here). If you're wanting to get involved on either side there are endless opportunities to get involved with your favorite candidate or any number of local conservative and progressive organizations as we approach November. They're already knocking on doors across the various districts!

Vote by Mail requests are available from the County Clerk now (no reason needed). For more information on candidates, check out the non-partisan Champaign County Voter Alliance candidate guide for candidates on the ballot here in Champaign County.