DeVore Loses State Central Committee Race
Southern Illinois attorney Tom DeVore campaigning for Illinois Attorney General in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Tom DeVore, the southern Illinois attorney and 2022 GOP candidate for Attorney General who has emerged as an online agitator against the Republican “establishment” lost a race for the Republican State Central Committee Wednesday.
Precinct committeemen and committeewomen from around the state cast votes at county GOP conventions around the state Wednesday to elect members of the 17-member GOP State Central Committee. One person is elected for each congressional district. Democrats elect their State Central Committee members directly in the primary election.
DeVore, the self described “RINO Hunter,” referring to “Republicans in Name Only,” lost to House GOP staffer Zach Emberton in the sprawling 15th district.
DeVore didn’t directly mention results on his Facebook page Wednesday night, but criticized Republicans who opposed him, specifically House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana), who he has been a foil for.
“Tony McCombie hasn’t worked this hard ever to win a race against a Democrat,” DeVore wrote. “I don’t think Republican elected representatives got anything done today as they were busy making phone calls stumping for their minions.”
Rep. Patrick Sheehan (R-Lockport) and Rep. Jason Bunting (R-Emington) were elected to the State Central Committee. Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) lost to current Deputy Central Committeeman Chris Yager in the 11th District.
Here is the full list of winners:
Congressional District 1:
Patrick Sheehan
Congressional District 2:
Jason Bunting
Congressional District 3:
Mike Flynn
Congressional District 4:
Robert “Bob” Kelsey
Congressional District 5:
Aaron Del Mar
Congressional District 6:
Bob Grogan
Congressional District 7:
Steve Bolton
Congressional District 8:
Debbie Kanarowski
Congressional District 9:
Joan Lasonde
Congressional District 10:
Keith Brin
Congressional District 11:
Chris Yaeger
Congressional District 12:
Rhonda Belford
Congressional District 13:
Cindy Lamar
Congressional District 14:
Beth Findley Smith
Congressional District 15:
Zach Emberton
Congressional District 16:
Jim Rule
Congressional District 17:
Bradley Hix
