* Press release…
In anticipation of a potential leadership change in the Lake County Democratic Party, today 101 precinct committeepeople candidates (nearly all unopposed in the March primary election) announce their commitment to support Lauren Beth Gash to lead the party. Lauren Beth Gash has now likely secured the weighted vote necessary to become the next Chair of the Lake County Democrats.
Each elected precinct committeeperson may vote for the Lake County Democratic Party Chair. Each committeeperson’s vote is weighted by the amount of votes cast in the Democratic primary election in their precinct.
The committeepeople candidates announcing their support for Gash hail from every one of Lake County’s 18 townships and include residents of the 6th, 10th and 14th Congressional Districts. These Democrats supporting Gash include significant representation of Lake County’s sizable African American, Latino and Asian communities.
Gash is now expected to be elected Chair of the Lake County Democrats during the County Convention, if a leadership change in the party does occur.
“It does not surprise me that Lauren has consolidated support from such a broad, diverse cross-section of Lake County Democrats so quickly,” said Fremont Township Democrats Chair Matt Lowry. “Under Lauren’s leadership, I am fully confident that our party will be united as we approach the critical 2020 elections.”
In addition, even more community leaders are adding their names to the list of Gash’s supporters for Lake County Democratic Chair.
“I will always be grateful for the work Lauren has done to welcome Lake County’s Muslim community into the Democratic Party’s coalition. She truly embodies the adage that ‘diversity is our strength; unity is our power’. Lauren has my strong endorsement to lead the party in the years ahead,” said Vaseem Iftekhar, founder of the Northern Illinois American Muslim Alliance, who also announced today his endorsement of Gash.
The current party chairman, Sen. Terry Link, has not yet said when or even if he will resign, although his resignation is expected sometime in the foreseeable future. As subscribers know, Sen. Melinda Bush has also expressed a strong interest in the position.
Gash’s full endorsement list is here.
- Any Mouse - Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 6:09 am:
I hope she divest herself from the 10th Dems and focuses on rebuilding a pretty defunct County Party.
Personally, I would have liked to see Senator Melinda Bush step up to take the reins. She has done well with the Lake County Democratic Women and has a more inclusive vision for the party.
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 4:54 pm:
Lauren has been empowering Lake County Democratic candidates, training volunteers, recruiting PC’s and helping fledgling organizations in areas so red we look like flamingos for a couple of decades. Lake County Democratic Women is an awesome group, but it’s only been around a few years and is focused primarily on women.
I think the rank and file would like to see leadership come from somewhere other than the general assembly.