By Nancy Thorner -
On Thursday February 9th, the Republican Assembly of Lake County picked Rick Santorum as their presidential choice during its monthly meeting and bi-annual Straw Poll in Mundelein at the Comfort Inn.
About 30 enthusiastic RALC members and friends, led by Colonel Ray True, asked questions of twelve candidates, each of whom were given three to five minutes to introduce themselves. The RALC's straw poll included all contested primaries in Lake County. No candidates representing GOP primaries in State Rep. 52nd District, State Rep. 58th District and Lake Co. Bd. Districts #12, #13, #15, #16, #17 showed.
As a bonus, the RALC also held a GOP presidential "beauty contest." The results reflected the recent rise in the polls for Rick Santorum with Santorum gaining 59% of the vote, Newt Gingrich 21%, Ron Paul 6% and Mitt Romney 14%.
Candidates achieving 80% of the votes cast were all RALC members. Five candidates achieved this status and were rated "Highly Qualified." Dan Donahue was the only non-RALCer to achieve the Highly Qualified rating; however, all RALC candidates -- due to member status -- are rated and considered highly qualified.
It is interesting to note that several of the RALC member candidates receiving 50% or more of the straw poll vote have likewise been endorsed by the Republican Establishment of Lake County, despite facing a challenger(s) who seems better qualified and suited for the position than does the establishment-endorsed candidate.
As such the results of the RALC straw poll were more indicative of a popularity contest.
For all practical purposes, at least in this election year, the conservative RALC, of which I am a member, has strong connections to the Lake County Republican Establishment. It's difficult to find much daylight between them.
Results of the RALC straw poll follow. Minor variance due from rounding errors of 100% total. Races where candidates were no shows have a star after the name of the race. Names of members of RALC are underlined.
STATE SENATE - DISTRICT # 31
- Lennie Jarratt (60%)
- Larry Leafblad (13%)
- Joel Neal (20%)
- Michael White (6%)
STATE SENATE - DISTRICT # 52
- Kent Gaffney (23%)
- David McSweeney (58%)
- Danielle Rowe (19%)
STATE REP DISTRICT #58
- Mark G. Neerhof (50%)
- Lauren G. Turelli (50%)
LAKE CO. STATES ATTORNEY
- Louise Hayes (10%)
- Mike Nerheim (10%)
- Bryan R. Winter (80%)
LAKE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
- Keith Brin (60%)
- Gerald T. Dietz (40%)
LAKE COUNTY CORONER
- Howard Cooper (26%)
- Steve Newton (74%)
LAKE COUNTY RECORDER
- Bob Bednar (61%)
- Marty Blumenthal (39%)
LAKE COUNTY BD - DISTRICT # 3
- Jim Mitchell (12%)
- Tom Newton (8%)(80%)
LAKE COUNTY BOARD - DISTRICT #12 *
- Scott J. Helton (62%)
- Mike Rummel (38%)
LAKE COUNTY BOARD - DISTRICT # 13 *
- David N. Barkhausen (30%)
- Rick Lesser (70%)
- Carol Calabresa (18%)
- Dan Donahue (82%)
- Michael Carbone (96)
- Rene Hernandez, Jr. (4%)
- Dan Quick (11%)
- Nick Sauer (86%)
- Mary Schorr (4%)
- Douglas R. Bennett (8%)
- Robert E. Haraden (63%)
- Ann B. Maine (29%)
