Getting more people to the polls was the recurring theme of the speakers at the 74th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner held Saturday night at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit building.
The wife of Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey, Cindy Bailey, noted the growth in the conservative movement, but noted even though her husband garnered more than two-million votes it wasn’t enough.
“Friends with your help, more and more people are waking up. They are getting involved and they are demanding change. But make no mistake, the mission as you well know is far from over. It will take a lot more hard work and voices like yours to get Springfield and Washington to listen and change.”
The campaign manager for State Attorney General Candidate Thomas Devore, Ryan Cunningham, agreed.
“Outreach initiatives are what we as Republicans can invest in. If we don’t do it guys, our first amendment rights are at stake and our second amendment rights are at stake. I was on JB Pritzker’s task force on COVID mitigations. That was a test. That was a test of his tyranny and his power and how far he can take it. He’s not stopping, trust me. I know people in his administration. He’s not stopping at Governor. He wants to run for President. I can tell you that with 100 percent certainty.”
Marion County Republican Party Chairman George Guidish echoes the same message that Southern Illinois can have a stronger voice if the large number who didn’t go to the polls would do so. He noted they were also hurt in the last election by the disconnect with some Republicans in other parts of the state on their strong pro-life and pro-gun stances but promised the local Republican Party is not changing.
The campaign manager for Republican Attorney General candidate Thomas Devore speaks to the need for greater get-out-the-vote efforts if Republicans are going to be successful in Illinois and Washington DC.
