42 Comments - The Captain - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 10:54 am: I don’t really know the Republicans but I do know that Magen Ryan got sent to Peoria on about 10 minutes notice and put together a team that got 4,000 signatures for Koehler in two days. I’ll tip my cap to anyone who can top that. - Spliff - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:09 am: Senate Dems - Bryan Johnson, they have sent him to Rockford twice with weak candidates and made both races competative. Senate Repubs - all the ones I have worked with are gone so i would say Ron Wilson for still being there. - MidGround - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:11 am: Megan Ryan gets it done. Quiet, effective and deadly. - Long Shot - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:14 am: Brendan O’Sullivan for the SDems. He’s calling the shots for them, while at the same time running an IL Supreme Court race for the Sen. President’s best friend, Mary Jane Theis. He ran a no-name in Mulroe and beat a popular, 20-year alderman in Doherty. Sully’s unflappable and will never be out-worked. One of the classiest guys in this business. Ryan Cudney for the Senate Rs. He’s put good candidates across the board and has quietly put the gavel in play. - Pot calling kettle - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:16 am: I was going to make the same comment about Magen Ryan. Last Friday, I thought Dave Koehler was on the edge of nuts. I think Magen was a big part of his successful effort. - It is - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:21 am: Bryen Johnson for best Senate Dem Staffer: Not only is he a harder worker put in difficult situations (i.e. Rockford). He manages to not let all the drama deter him from his work and keeping a smile on his face and putting one on his co-workers’ faces. That is a sign of a strong leader and a great staffer. Ryan Cudney- He knows what he is doing, Repubs and Democrats can not deny that. - downstater - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:25 am: Magen Ryan is always cheerful and always working hard. Her work in Peoria is nothing compared to how many Illinoisans she convinced to knock doors in Iowa for Obama. - I Like... - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:29 am: Noe Chaimongkol. Good Record. Was behind Linda Holmes, not once but twice. Also helped Wilhemi after that little nuisance Cendra Crenshaw popped up. Honorable mentions to a Mr. Dan Hohl & John Charles. Two words: Mike Noland. - Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:32 am: ===Two words=== For a lot of folks, that’s an automatic disqualifier. Just sayin… - Gator - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:38 am: SDEMs - Giovanni Randazzo, hands down! Not only is he a great legal mind who works on every election bill, but he is also a phenomenal political tactician. This guy knows everything about every state and local race going back to the 20’s. SGOP - Jo Johnson is great on the legal side of the equation. Ryan Cudney also gets props. - CKD - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:44 am: Bryen Johnson- Senate Democrats; He is not afraid of being thrown into difficult situations and races…in fact I think he likes it. He is a definite team player and does whatever it takes to win…even if he knocks on every single door alone. Jeremy Flynn- Senate Democrats. He has been a strong political leader inside of the organzation and staff trust him to take his lead. A team player and he knows how to deal with the drama but keep a steady head when decisions need to be made. - Cincinnatus - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:50 am: Sen. Rs: Ryan Cudney who goes the extra mile (or sometimes 150 of them) to help out. - Clark - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 11:56 am: Bryen Johnson for Senate Democrats. He’s smart, level-headed, a team player, and about the most modest person you’ll ever meet. He knows how to get things done, but somehow manages to make everyone like him in the process. - Hustlin' - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:00 pm: For Senate Dems I’d have to say Bryen Johnson. Worked with him for many years and I know that he will do whatever he needs to do to win. He has no problem facing a challenge and is pleasant to everyone he meets no matter how stressful the situation. - So. Illinois - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:05 pm: I haven’t worked with many SGOPs, for SDEMs, I’d say Ryan Cudney who’s tireless efforts have insured that IL was only state that was immune from Tea Party wave… - Mother of Four - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:14 pm: For Senate Dems I have to go with Bryen Johnson. He handles difficult races with grace and is always a hard worker. He isn’t one of those staffers that thinks certain tasks are beneath him, when work needs to be done he does it. - Chuck - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:23 pm: Senate Repubs - Ryan Cudney. Knows what he’s doing, without a doubt. Senate Dems - Bryen Johnson. Year after year he has proved to be an asset to the sdems. He is (genuienly) friendly and handles any situation like the pro he is. - west side don - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:26 pm: Man someone really has a hard on for Bryen Johnson - doggylover - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 12:39 pm: Bryen Johnson for Sen. Dems- He won’t sit in a campaign office waiting for things to happen but will actually go out and make sure it gets done. He is a great leader and doesn’t leave a room without putting a smile on your face. - Gentlemen, behold! - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 1:52 pm: Senate Dems - Magen Ryan, as part of the “new guard” over there, bringing some fresh energy to the senate dems political side. While Dave Koehler is a deserving and well-liked politician, he doesn’t get on that ballot without the organization efforts to collect those signatures. She is type that puts her heart and soul into the job and is not just a politico that will bounce on a dime to greener political pastures. - Passing through - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 1:59 pm: Ryan Cudney - had the pleasure of working with him in the past - a pro. - 1776 - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 2:18 pm: Ryan Cudney… great candidates and great job dealing with a Caucus where every other person is running for Governor! - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 2:25 pm: Don’t know the SDEM folks. For SGOP Ryan Cudney hands down, very hard worker, team player and genuinely a nice guy. - P. - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 2:37 pm: Brendan O’Sullivan for the Dems - He should be recognized for running a couple outstanding campaigns in the recent past - Mulroe and Mendoza… People are starting to notice he’s a great campaigner. - JPP, II - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 3:05 pm: For the SGOP’s: Jo Johnson does a swell job on the legal side of things. She’s quick-witted and direct. As for the SDEM’s: Bryan Johnson is organized, calm under pressure, and always assuring in high-anxiety situations. He just gets the job done. - Anon - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 3:45 pm: Sen Dems - Bryen Johnson, hands down - Anon - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 4:37 pm: Not sure about the SRepubs Bryen Johnson for the Dems- his hard work in Rockford put him ahead of other contenders. The Sen Dems have some great staffers but the hard work and dedication Bryen put into Marla Wilson’s race last year clearly puts him ahead of the curve. His dedication to the Senate Dems and to the good of the party is immeasurable. He doesn’t mind doing the grunt work, asking other people for their opinions on matters, and does it all with the biggest smile on his face. There aren’t enough nice things I can say about him. - uwaga - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 5:25 pm: For Sdems, I would have say either Magen Ryan or Bryen Johnson, the fact that both of them are on the same team surely doesn’t make Cudney sleep better at night. Srepubs. I don’t know a lot of their operation but I would have to nominate Ronnald Deedrick, he’s a workhorse whether he’s downstate or in the collar counties he’ll work relentlessly for his candidates. , - Sideline Watcher - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 6:50 pm: Bryen Johnson for many of the reasons listed above but mostly because in politics it can be very easy to get cynical and jaded. Bryen erases all that by being an absolutely genuine, hardworking, honest broker who plays to win. We need more people like him, especially in this environment. - vote for NC - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 7:37 pm: Sen. Dems: Noe Chaimongkol. How does he not get a mention? Unparalleled work ethic, excellent organizational skills, and a few wins under his belt (holmes twice, wilhelmi). He gets the job done and is professional in doing so! - The Stever - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 7:59 pm: Senate Dems- Noe Chaimongkol. Always in stealth mode. Knows the players, crunches the numbers, spits out winners. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 8:20 pm: CapFax likes his campaigners like he likes his grappa: short and bitter. - Wheatland Tom - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 9:16 pm: Senate Dems - Noe Chaimongkol. Two words - Linda Holmes. Got her threw not once but twice. Nice guy too. - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 9:30 pm: Senate Dems: Noe Chaimongkol. Never gets the credit he deserves, especially on the political side. Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you. He knows strategy backwards and forwards and is a someone every candidate should want in their corner. And really - Linda Holmes, twice? That’s worth a horseshoe in itself. - seriouslyIknowthisIshouldhaveaweightedvote - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 9:34 pm: No doubt, Bryen Johnson. He knows what to do and who to call when he doesn’t. He gets the job done, is friendly and has made very frustrating situations into competitive situations — important moves in the chess match. - nick - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 9:36 pm: Noe chaimongkol has proven that he can win! - S side mike - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 10:05 pm: Noe - From the fields - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 10:18 pm: Senate Dems’ Noe Chaimongkol is an under the radar campaign staffer who is analytical, experienced, and politically savvy. He’s been through numerous tough cycles for them and always quietly produces a quality product of his candidates and, most importantly, finds a way to bring home the W. - Randy Whitmore - Monday, Dec 12, 11 @ 10:31 pm: Noe without a doubt. A proven winner. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Dec 13, 11 @ 6:52 am: how about a pay-per-view smack down between Bryen and Noe? It could be broadcast online to CapFax subscribers. Winner gets the horseshoe. LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE !!!!!!!!!!! - Chessboard - Tuesday, Dec 13, 11 @ 7:54 am: Senate GOP is probably Cudney. He’s created a lot of problems for the Majority. For the Senate Dems, it’s got to be Bryen Johnson. The trick to caucus campaigns isn’t always about winning the race you’ve been dropped into. Just as important (I’d say even more important) is the ability to swiftly establish a flank that the opposing caucus didn’t expect. Drawing down resources, attention and ensuring that the GOP incumbent is a squeaky wheel to his/her leader is a good way to make advances in other campaigns. Bryen Johnson knows this and has proven to be a skilled architect of the flank. - Anon - Tuesday, Dec 13, 11 @ 9:03 am: Bryen Johnson, Senate Dems, hands down. 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