* Derek Barichello…
The La Salle County Republican Party has not made up its mind on whether it will support state Rep. Jerry Long’s bid for re-election after harassment allegations were lodged against him.
Party chairman Don Jensen said the county GOP is looking into the facts of the case before it makes a decision. He is unsure of a timetable when a decision may be made.
Last week, the Illinois House Republican Organization and Illinois Republican Party both pulled their support, including finances, from Long’s campaign after the HRO said it conducted a third-party investigation into an anonymous complaint. They also asked him to resign.
Long has said he is staying in the race, saying he has done nothing to warrant his resignation.
This was not an “anonymous complaint.”
The House Republicans know the person who complained because the person approached them. They also know the surrounding facts and the context. The complainant asked to remain anonymous and that should be respected, even though Long tried to out the person in a press release.
…Adding… Glad to hear it…
And as far as Chairman Jensen goes, the House GOP doesn’t pull out of Tier One races over nothing. They spent over a million dollars on the guy in the last month of the 2016 election. That’s an investment you don’t lightly abandon.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Breaking news…
In the wake of an allegation last week of harassment of a person associated with the House Republican Office, another Republican today joined the call for state Rep. Jerry Long (R-Streator) to resign.
“In light of the House Republicans recommending Rep. Long step down from his position as State Representative after a third party firm was hired to investigate Rep. Long’s behavior, I too am calling for Rep. Long to resign. Harassment has no place in our society,” said state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) in a statement provided to the NewsTribune on Monday afternoon.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Um, so why would Long assume that Sen. Rezin didn’t form her own opinion?…
Long called it unfortunate that Rezin decided to toe the party line without knowing the facts and forming her own opinion.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 9:46 am:
GOPies not handling exit interview phase of this cycle very well. Now they are being stood up by the powerful LaSalle County GOP Chair. This comes on the heals of bein’ forced to back madman DeadBeatJoe’s spouse and of course the cornerstones of six figure job @ DOC and cyber attack counter measures. No wonder Durkie sounded so unenthused on the radio
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:06 am:
Unless or until Long admits wrongdoing or the investigation proves it happened, he shouldn’t be forced to step down. Calls for him to do so before due process is just pandering imo.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:07 am:
Good to see GOPie rapid response team barrelin’ into the fray. Wonder when GovJunk gets on it? Is he still wanderin’ around QC buildin’ another U of I campus. More good news for WIU.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:07 am:
===or the investigation proves it happened===
Um, there was an investigation. As a result of that investigation, the HGOPs called on Long to resign. What more do you want?
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:10 am:
I was under the impression the investigation was still ongoing. My bad.
- Spirit of 76 - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:23 am:
Let’s also keep in mind that “third-party investigation” and “Independent investigation” are two very different things.
- Seats - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 10:44 am:
How much money does the LaSalle County Republican Party recieve from the Illinois House Republican Organization and Illinois Republican Party.
Would think such a deviance would possibly put an end to those funds.
- A guy - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 11:01 am:
If you don’t get the message after an intervention like this, you can’t, because you don’t want to. Everyone’s better off without this knave.
Let’s get rid of all of them who act like this. The best bipartisan thing we can do.
- anonin - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 11:58 am:
LaSalle GOP didn’t financially support any candidates last election. They don’t have any “support” to pull.
- GOPgal - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
=What more do you want?= How about a copy of that report for starters. Long denies it all. OF COURSE he should be free to challenge accuser.
- Jerry Long Voter - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
Past experience “zero tolerance” harassment policies is code for people like Durkin abusing the system. The public needs to be told what happened. Jerry Long has an excellent reputation and Durkin’s accusations do not fit with the Jerry Long we know.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 3:37 pm:
==- Jerry Long Voter - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 3:34 pm:==
Which Jerry Long is that? The one who lied to voters about supporting working men and women only to turn around and prostrate himself for the money of Bruce Rauner?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 3:39 pm:
=== Jerry Long has an excellent reputation===
No, he really doesn’t.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 4:24 pm:
“Jerry Long has an excellent reputation”
Wouldn’t touch him with a stick.
- Papa Mikey - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 7:57 pm:
“Jerry Long has an excellent reputation”
Well on that note, If you believe that, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 8:25 pm:
“Well on that note, If you believe that, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you.”
Chicago has a few to give away for gree.
- Adios Jerry Long - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 9:06 pm:
We are talking the same Jerry Long who claims he left the Air Force before his commitment was up to “pursue another career path”. We are talking the same Jerry Long who attempted to strong arm Jacob Bramel into dropping his candidacy last election. Ask anybody who has ever worked with Long and really knows him and the answer will be what you are seeing is classic Jerry Long. Nothing is ever Long’s fault nor will he admit he is wrong. Enjoy Longpanzees, your boy is going down in flames.
- Seats - Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 11:30 pm:
Jerry Long posted on facebook that he will be doing an exclusove interview at 1p.m. tomorrow with The Times paper to explain the situation.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Sep 19, 18 @ 9:20 am:
=== Jerry Long has an excellent reputation===
If you mean an excellent reputation for having no clue as to what is going on, then, yeah.