* Bernie…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Sara Wojcicki Jimenez was unanimously chosen on Friday by the 99th State House District Representative Committee to replace former State Rep. Raymond Poe (R-Springfield).
Jimenez, Chief of Staff to First Lady Diana Rauner, was raised in Springfield and offers a unique profile to the Republican Party while demonstrating a compassion and understanding of state government, the legislative process and a key ability to be a strong advocate for Sangamon County residents in state government.
“Sara Wojcicki Jimenez is a rising star in the Republican Party who will be a unique voice for Sangamon County in state government,” said Sangamon County Republican Chairman Rosemarie Long. “Sara has served as an elected official in Springfield and is well known in the community. She has immense state government experience as a former state house reporter, Press Secretary for House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Chief of Staff to the First Lady. Sara will be able to hit the ground running on day one.”
“Sara Wojcicki Jimenez is a good choice to serve as State Representative for Sangamon County,” said former Rep. Raymond Poe. “Many good candidates applied, including close friends and supporters. The committee had a tough decision to make.”
“I am excited to see a highly accomplished woman represent Sangamon County in the legislature,” said former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara. “Sara Wojcicki Jimenez is tremendously qualified and will be a terrific legislator. I am honored to have Sara as my State Representative.”
“Sara Wojcicki Jimenez has an incredible background – state house reporter, communications professional and senior state government official – and that background will be invaluable in the state legislature,” said Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter. “As a woman with a young family and wife of a current state employee, Sara will be able to advocate for Sangamon County in state government unlike anyone else.”
The vacancy for the state representative seat was created when Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Raymond Poe to be Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
The 99th State House District Representative Committee consisted of Sangamon County Republican Chairman Rosemarie Long and two Sangamon County Republican Precinct Committee members within the 99th State House District. On Thursday, the Sangamon County Republican Central Committee voted to appoint Mary Sneed and Collins Piper, both Republican Precinct Committee members, to serve on the Representative Committee along with Chairman Long.
Jimenez will be sworn in as the 99th District State Representative this coming week.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Another press release…
First Lady Diana Rauner and Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement regarding Sara Wojcicki Jimenez:
“We offer our sincerest congratulations to Sara on her pending appointment to the Illinois House of Representatives. As a key member of the Administration, she has been a tireless worker who helped advance key priorities from agency transformation to restoring the Executive Mansion. We will miss working alongside her every day.
“Sara is a true public servant, with a wonderful spirit and passion for serving the people of Illinois. We know she will represent her district admirably in the General Assembly and look forward to the contributions she’ll make on behalf of her constituents and all Illinoisans.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Leader Durkin…
“I look forward to welcoming Sara Wojcicki Jimenez as the newest member of the House Republican Caucus. She is joining the Illinois General Assembly during a very important time in our state’s history, I am certain she is up to the challenge. Congratulations to Sara.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** From the Sangamon County Democratic Party…
Sangamon County has a long history of representation by legislators from both parties who have stood up for the rights of the working people. Unfortunately, those days are ending.
“Once again, the Governor has created a vacancy in a Sangamon County House seat and hand – picked the replacement” said Sangamon County Democratic Party Chairwoman Doris Turner. “No longer will the middle class of the 99th District have a true representative – one who will stand up for their rights while on the job and into their retirement” Turner added. If the track record of Governor Rauner’s replacements is any guide, State of Illinois employees, as well as other middle class families living and working in Sangamon County, have another Rauner clone who will vote as Rauner wishes and against the interest of local families.
What makes Governor Rauner’s influence in these appointments even more curious is the fact that the Republican voters in Sangamon County overwhelmingly rejected candidate Rauner in the primary. Despite that, he has taken over their representation at the Capitol.
- Honeybear - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
Good luck with that.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
I actually like Sara. wish her luck.
- Abe the Babe - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Ive never liked these party processes but Sara will do well.
She’s gonna need a lot of luck and support with the upcoming votes she may have to take. Good luck!
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
AFSCME get ready, and I’m not talking about your annual Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch next Wednesday
- Norseman - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
My vote now goes to ABS - anybody but Sara.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 1, Season Finale
Bruce flies to Vegas, his luggage gets sent to the wrong hotel. Diana wonders aloud about IllinoisGO. Lance tweets pictures of Elvis impersonators in Vegas, “ck” prepares more full page ad apologizes….
… Diana’s state employee leaves the show, joins the Owl circus.
Comedy, 82 minutes.
- Aldyth - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
Perhaps the governor could save the taxpayers $100,000 a year, plus benefits, by eliminating the newly created position of Chief of Staff for the First Lady.
Seriously.
- CornerGuy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
I think this is a great pick. Sara is incredibly thoughtful and thorough. But oh my gosh, if anyone really needed a sign that Durkin isn’t calling any shots, this was it.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
Words fail me.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
There’s been a COS for First Ladies well before Diana.
The very savvy thing to do would be to “keep” the position, but pay for it out of “Citizens for.. “, include health benefits, have him/her on the Administration’s roster, and say nothing more about it.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
They runnin’ low on paper, how about 2 releases;
One from the “committee” with Rep. Poe commenting, another with…
“LOCAL LEADERS PRAISE CHOICE OF SARA WOJCICKI JIMENEZ TO IL HOUSE”
Ugh.
- Langhorne - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
—a key ability to be a strong advocate for Sangamon County residents in state government.–
That is the key.
Who will guide her? Frat boys and superstars? Durkin? We shall see
- Huh? - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
Huge pay cut.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
I see a primary fight coming.
- Anonin' - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
Sara is great. ..wonder why they left ooir Lexi out?
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:01 pm:
Key member? Agency transformation? Thanks for the press release Rauners!
-Sara’s primary and general opponents
- Juvenal - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
=== “Sara Wojcicki Jimenez is a good choice to serve as State Representative for Sangamon County,” said former Rep. Raymond Poe. “Many good candidates applied, including close friends and supporters. The committee had a tough decision to make.” ===
Wow. That’s the best they could get from Poe?
Just, wow.
- Keyrock - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
OW- season finale? If I’m reading this right, further episodes have been suspended because you’re afraid the Governor’s money will be used to get candidates to run against you for the Golden Horseshoe awards. You’re waiting until after the nomination petitions come in before re-upping for a second season?
I didn’t think that Rauner would get to you, too.
(Adjusting my tin foil hat.)
- Marty Funkhouser - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Huh? writes, “Huge pay cut.”
Does anyone think the Rauners can’t help Jimenez find some private-sector work to supplement her House salary?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:17 pm:
- Keyrock -
Nah. Season 2 starts with Thanksgiving, a “Very Special” Thanksgiving.
Those other episodes in the can will roll out in Season 2.
No worries.
It’s also losing cast members. This is a tight cast, and the writers, producers, and the directors wish “Diana’s state employee” all the best in her new opportunity.
- Honeybear - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
-helped advance key priorities from agency transformation to restoring the Executive Mansion-
Wait…she was working on agency transformation? Why? She was COS for a non elected spouse. I had a problem with this before and now I have a real problem with it.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
Fake Leader Durkin then said:
“I had nothing to do with this decision. It was my pleasure to let Governor Rauner dictate to me how my caucus would look. We have already given Sara her orientation on where her present button is located.”
- Team Sleep - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Honeybear - really?! So what - should her position have been coded like an AFSCME position and should she have only been allowed to do very narrow work defined in a contract?!
I’ve been a political staffer my entire career. Using the phrase “that’s not in my job description” has never been in my repertoire of replies to my superiors.
- Honeybear - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
TS- I must not have made myself clear. That’s not what I meant. First, I don’t think a Gov. spouse needs a COS in the first place. Two, I can see her working on the mansion stuff but working on agency transformation she needs to be assigned to the governor not the first lady. Mrs. Rauner does not work for the State of Illinois and has not been elected to serve the state. Thus a COS for Mrs. Rauner is unneeded in the first place. I can’t stand the “offshoring” practice. This seems to be what is happening here. Just my opinion. You didn’t need to get all huffy. It has nothing to do with job description or AFSCME classification.
- Norseman - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:43 pm:
Team Sleep, the takeaway from Honeybear’s comment should be that it was a baloney stuff resume padding line. The only transforming Sara would be involved in is asking an agency to to transform DR’s name on an agency program effort.
- anon - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Sam,meet your 2018 opponent,
- anon - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Sam,meet your 2018 opponent,
- Honeybear - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
Ahh, thanks Norseman. Resume padder. I hadn’t thought of that. That makes more sense. Okay..Well sorry if I got fussy. I’m a hissy cat these days with all the Rauner attacks on labor.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
To the Sagamon County Democrats,
Whadda gonna do? Poe’s a Republican. It’s a vacant Republican (for these purposes) seat.
It’s Friday. Ya can’t wait until she raises her hand and takes the oath? Ugh.
- D.P.Gumby - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
“Huge Pay Cut”? You mean she can’t stay as First Lady’s COS?
- Team Sleep - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:57 pm:
I don’t care if they’re offshoring. If that’s how the Governor see fit to run his staff, then so be it.
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
Anon 2:47
Sam Cahnman?
- Team Sleep - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Liz - Sam McCann
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
Dang. Those debates would’ve been amazing.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Liz - I doubt that Sam Cahnman would’ve debated Rep. Jimenez. He probably would’ve just stared at her.
- Steve Brown - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Sorry to inject a little history but I think Sara will be the first SPOX with a vote.
- Honeybear - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
TS- as a former Navy officer I don’t like offshoring because it obfuscates the chain of command and fiscal accountability/transparency.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Team Sleep, that is funny. Because its true.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:12 pm:
Has the first lady been asked how her busy public schedule will be impacted by her chief of staff leaving? Has she put together a transition team to handle her burdensome public schedule?
- Cmon - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
Cahnman lives in the 96th. Maybe he should primary Scherer again. Lol!!!
- burbanite - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 4:34 pm:
I am seeing a pattern with hires and appointments to attempt to chip away at the Dems. Will he try and lure Steve Brown with Ms. Jimenez’ job?
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
Team Sleep, that’s a winner!
- WhatHappened! - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:35 pm:
“As a woman with a young family and wife of a current state employee, Sara will be able to advocate for Sangamon County in state government unlike anyone else.”
Husband went from a phone operator to a division manager with her appointment to COS.