Cabello Jumps Into GOP Chair Race
Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park)
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A third candidate has jumped into the race to succeed Don Tracy as Illinois Republican Party chairman.
Multiple sources say Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) is making calls to members of the GOP’s State Central Committee seeking support to become party chairman.
A vote is expected Friday to replace Tracy, who announced his resignation last month.
Cabello is hoping to tap into his longtime support of former President Donald Trump in his effort to secure the position, sources say. Cabello was an early supporter of Trump in Illinois and chaired his campaign in the state in 2016.
We’re told by multiple GOP sources the Trump campaign is not formally involved in the chairman race in a state not expected to be competitive in the presidential race this fall.
Cabello, a Rockford Police detective, served in the House from 2012 to 2021 before losing a narrow race to now-Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford.) Cabello was drawn into a new district in the 2021 redistricting process and was elected in a new district in 2022 and rejoined the House in 2023.
When Cabello answered a call from The Illinoize Monday morning he said he would call back. He did not return a subsequent call or text message.
Sources say Cabello has told State Central Committee members he only wants the position in an “interim” fashion and would hope to serve through the end of the year.
Two other candidates, Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) and former Cook County GOP Chairman and 2022 GOP Lt. Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar of suburban Palatine continue to make their pitch ahead of the vote at the end of the week.
Plummer did not comment when reached by The Illinoize Monday.
But sources close to the GOP senator, who also serves on the State Central Committee, say Plummer is making calls for the job, but “not aggressively.”
“He believes there's too much infighting and the party has been broken for a long time,” a source with knowledge of Plummer’s plans tells The Illinoize. “There needs to be a rebuild [of the party] focused on infrastructure and raising money. He believes the party spends a lot of money and doesn't see many results.”
The source also took a subtle shot at Del Mar, claiming candidates in the race are attempting to “advance their own agenda instead of building a party apparatus.”
Del Mar, who is taking an active role in speaking on the GOP’s “Lincoln Day Dinner” circuit, shot back Monday night, claiming he wants to build a party that can win elections.
“I’m here to work with my colleagues on the [State Central Committee] and grassroots organizations across the state to put Illinois first and foremost,” Del Mar said Monday. “We have a unique opportunity to change the perception and messaging of the [Illinois Republican Party.] The question everyone should be asking is ‘do you want more of the same or do you want to take a risk and have a shot of winning?’”
Each of the 17 State Central Committee members has a weighted vote and it does not appear any of the candidates have a majority of those votes secured as of Monday night.