Some Republicans in Illinois have taken to regularly bashing
Republican state legislative leaders for seeking support from the Illinois
Education Association, a teachers’ union that has for decades worked to help
elect Republicans who are sympathetic to their issues.
With longtime wealthy Republican contributors and
fundraisers dying, moving to warmer climes and/or retiring, the IEA and more
conservative labor unions can help close the funding and precinct worker
gap. But those who do are instantly declared to be persona non grata
“Republicans in Name Only” by some folks who want no ties whatsoever with
public employee unions.
On the surface, at least, it’s a legitimate policy dispute. Former
Gov. Bruce Rauner wiped out years of hard work by the IEA when he insisted that
Republican legislators reject the teachers’ union because he hated public
employee unions and believed all Republicans should do the same.
But by relying mainly on money from Rauner and some of his
pals, the Republicans lost a more permanent revenue source. Politicians
may come and go, but the unions are always there. So when Rauner and his
ilk pulled up stakes after suffering humiliating statewide defeats, it was only
natural that at least some Republicans would renew their relationships with the
IEA and others.
When asked about this schism at the Illinois State Fair’s
Republican Day, Senate Republican Leader John Curran pointed out that he lives
in a “purple” district and will work with anyone who works with
him. Curran said he looks at the members of the IEA who live in his
district, not the union itself.
“I think it’s incumbent upon Republicans to represent your
districts,” Curran said. “This is a very diverse state. A one size fits
all is not the path to ultimate victory and success in this state.”
“We have got to reflect the communities we represent, first
and foremost” Curran said. “That’s success. It is not a blanket party one
way or another.”
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie told my associate Isabel
Miller that 46% of the IEA members in her district are Republicans. “I
think you find that in a lot of our rural areas,” she said.
“I think, like with every organization, especially as a leader,
it’s important that I have a relationship with every organization,” McCombie
said, adding that the IEA has “been helpful to the caucus.”
McCombie differentiated the IEA with the National Education
Association, however, saying the NEA “has gone too far left for us.” She
said the IEA is different.
Failed 2022 attorney general candidate Tom DeVore has
attracted thousands of online followers and regularly attacks both Curran and
McCombie for their IEA ties. He’s gone so far as to repeatedly claim that
the IEA represents Chicago teachers, even though the Chicago Teachers Union is
most definitely not part of the IEA.
DeVore has endorsed a primary opponent against McCombie and
against at least one other House GOP member, Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville.
McCombie and her allies will likely have to spend
significant money to defend the leader and Meier – money which could’ve been
used to defend against a predicted House Democratic onslaught next
fall. That prospect only buttresses McCombie’s claim from earlier this
summer that DeVore is a “Democrat operative.” Whatever he says, the end
result is Democrats benefit.
Americans for Prosperity Illinois is expected to go all-in
for McCombie in the primary. The group will also help her caucus fend off
the Democrats next year.
Meanwhile, Downstate Republicans often complain that urban
Democrats turn up their noses at rural Illinois. During Republican Day,
however, Republican DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick made a claim about
rural Republicans that could haunt his announced gubernatorial bid.
Like Darren Bailey in the 2022 governor’s race, Mendrick is
running for governor on a tough-on-crime agenda. But he said Bailey just
didn’t get it.
“He had no ability to really do anything about (crime). No
offense to him, but he’s a farmer,” Mendrick said about Bailey.
That “farmer” crack didn’t sit well with Bailey’s former
campaign manager Jose Durbin.
“Taking a swipe at farmers in a state built on agriculture
is a strange way to ask for votes – especially in a GOP Primary largely made up
of rural voters,” Durbin told Isabel. “Perhaps Jim should try other ways to
promote his failing campaign. Darren Bailey’s roots in farming mean he knows
hard work, responsibility and how to deliver results – exactly what Illinois
needs to fight crime and get back on track.”