Facing Potential "Blue Wave," What Is McCombie's Future?
House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) speaks at the Illinois State Fair in August. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Internal concerns among House Republicans have bubbled over in recent days, as some caucus members have openly wondered about the future of House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) if the House GOP loses a significant number of seats on November 3.
Some Republican scenarios say the House GOP could realistically lose six seats with two potential pickup opportunities being considered closer to long shots as Election Day draws nearer.
Others are speculating if a challenger to McCombie will emerge after significant losses or if she’ll even want to continue in the role.
Sources say McCombie has been calling members in recent days, but the nature of the conversations has been described differently. Some say she has been trying to squeeze members for more campaign dollars (in a caucus that notoriously raises money poorly) and others implied McCombie is trying to shore up support with her caucus in the case of a leadership battle.
In a statement Thursday, McCombie denied she’s discussing leadership votes and is focused on November 3.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I am not calling members to ask for their leadership votes. That conversation is not appropriate while our candidates are fighting to win in November,” she said. “I am asking members to help those races because we are being significantly outspent. My focus right now is winning elections, and our candidates deserve that same focus from all of us.”
House Republicans, we’re told, have come to terms with the loss of the seat held by Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton), who isn’t seeking re-election. Multiple other members, including Reps. Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park), Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville), and Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) are locked in dogfights with less than two weeks to go.
Sources say polling shows a mix of good and bad news among the competitive districts, even as the caucus has been vastly outspent by House Democrats.
Internally, the GOP is hoping it can keep its caucus number at 40 in 2027. While losing Grant’s seat is expected, we’re told there remains some optimism Republicans can pick up at least one seat, either the seat held by Rep. Amy Murri Briel (D-Ottawa), or appointed Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman (D-Plainfield).
If the wheels come off for House Republicans, though, it is widely expected a challenger will emerge from the far-right Freedom Caucus, which has quarreled with McCombie at times since her elevation to Leader in 2023.
Other potential challengers mentioned included Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Peoria), who said he is not interested in seeking the job and won’t challenge McCombie and Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont), who said Thursday “if McCombie goes down in flames, I’ll be on fire right by her side.”
Some Republicans also speculated Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur), a former congressional candidate, could potentially launch a challenge to McCombie. Deering did not return a message Thursday.
