Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The 2024 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Democratic State Senate Staff Member goes to Mary Hanahan…
Mary Hanahan has been a critical pillar within the Senate Dems legal structure for the past 6 years. She has been instrumental in getting all of the energy bills over the finish line and a number of other significant pieces of legislation over the years. She works behind the scenes diligently and has served her caucus well. She will be deeply missed.
Runner-up is Jon Peebles…
As previously stated, he just left staff but I know that he will continue to positively contribute to the legislative process. His understanding of his subject matter is top-notch, and he can drill down to the heart of each issue without getting distracted by unnecessary details. He is also a straight shooter, and these factors plus many others are why the SDEM leaders greatly value his take on issues.
* The 2024 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Republican State Senate Staff Member goes to Bill Schneider…
He has many decades of legal experience from both staff and previous roles, and he uses it throttle wide open on every assignment he gets. He will have your sides sore with laughter, as he creates humor from the most mundane things.
Honorable mention goes to the relentless Whitney Barnes.
* On to today’s categories…
This is for both the campaign and government sides. Please try to nominate in both categories if you can and explain your choices or they won’t count. Thanks.
* A big thank you to y’all from LSSI…
It may not be possible, but I would really like to see us reach $20,000 today. I don’t want any foster kids left out of our Christmas present drive, and reaching that temporary goal would get us about a third of the way there. So, please, click here. Thanks!
- Chicago Peace Circles - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 11:46 am:
HDem: My nomination goes to Kendra! She has always had fabulous repertoire with legislators and stakeholders, and is incredibly knowledgeable in a vast array of topics. This year, she was thrown into the fire in the middle of session and she handled it with grace, remaining responsive, kind, and insightful
HRep Staff: Jen Passwater addresses everyone with kindness, has a great sense of humor, and has the ability to cross party lines to achieve legislative goals.
- CapitolReader - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 12:17 pm:
House Republican Staff - Dane Thull is a silent operator. His campaign and legislative experience makes him a tremendous asset to the caucus. They can always count on him for his counsel, hard work and loyalty to members. He has gone up in the ranks of staff - working on getting school funding reform across the finish line to now leading his staff in a management role.
House Dem Staff - Kendra is in the middle of all the big issues and stepped up when she was “thrown in to the fire” last session. She leads with kindness and is great to work with.
- A Jolly Old Time - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 12:53 pm:
House Dem: Logan Owens. Logan continues to be a leader amongst staff. They work diligently on all issues and serve as an amazing and reliable source for members, lobbyists and liaisons to turn to.
House GOP: Lauren Hund. Lauren truly is a joy to work with. She displays a knowledge of her subject matter that exceeds far beyond her peers. She quickly made a name for herself and continues to be an excellent source of information.
- TSM - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 1:15 pm:
HDems: Nora Walsh and Allie McNamara. Two of the rising stars for House Dems. Both Allie and Nora oversaw some of the biggest races for the Dems this year (Muri Briel, Marti Dueter, Katie Stuart, Maura Hirschauer, the list goes on) and ensured victories, keeping contested seats Dem. On the state side, they are the two you can count on in the office to keep things organized, members on track and ensure staff is kept up to date on session happenings.
HGOP: Dane Thull. Hardworking and always collaborative.
- Submission - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 1:51 pm:
Jacob Wargo for House Dem Staff because he is so kind to lobbyists. If they are not kind, he beats them with kindness. Also, he is always looking for ways to be productive for his members and the constituents of the State of Illinois.
- Luigi - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 3:16 pm:
HDEMS: Kendra is awesome however she is a director now and therefore is ineligible. My nomination goes instead to Kat Bray she knows her stuff and is super hardworking, caring and has accomplished some big things during both her times on staff. IL is lucky to have her back.
- Chicago Voter - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 3:21 pm:
Jason Mendonca on the House Dem staff is a superstar. He is responsive, knowledgeable and always pleasant to work with. He handles a lot but always has time to be helpful.
- Kevin Lampe - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 3:44 pm:
I second House Dem - Jacob Wargo; he is bright and knowledgeable, and, yes, he has an advanced degree in kindness. Sadly, I wish I knew more HGOP staffers - I did when Schaumburg was red.
- Kitty Kurth - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 3:55 pm:
Jacob Wargo is not only kind but hard-working, inquisitive and focused. The people of Illinois get more than their moneys worth from Jacob.
- Seventh Floor - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 4:03 pm:
HDems: Kendra Piercy hands down. She was thrown into the Chief position at the peak of session this year and handled it with such grace and leadership. Very few others would have been able to rise to the occasion like she did. Over the years she has proven herself as a competent, committed and compassionate staffer who truly works hard to serve her caucus and the people of Illinois. I am excited to see what she accomplishes in this new role!
HReps: Jen Paswater has always and continues to be one of the best staffers under the dome. She has a wealth of institutional knowledge and is wicked smart.
- Club DG - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 4:04 pm:
HDems: Nora Walsh and Allie McNamara. Nora and Allie excel at their roles, both on the state and political side. Both have immense responsibilities as Deputy Director and Floor Manager, yet they consistently go above and beyond to support their fellow staff with whatever they need. They are both organized, strategic and incredibly hard-working, and they also do their jobs with kindness and humor. Despite the pressures of overseeing the most competitive races for the House Democrats in what turned out to be a challenging year, they delivered key victories for the Speaker. It’s impossible to choose between them and they are equally deserving of recognition.
HGOP: Dane Thull. While he may be a quiet presence, Dane has incredible institutional and policy knowledge. He is easily one of the most trusted and effective staffers in the Capitol. Dane works seamlessly with his Democratic counterparts and is able to still advance Republican members’ bills and legislative agenda despite being in the super minority. Dane is smart, efficient and has the respect of both sides of the aisle.
- soill - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 4:46 pm:
HDems: Kendra Piercy, without a doubt, is the best Democratic staffer under the dome. To echo other entries, she took on an incredibly difficult job at the height of session. She not only steadied the ship but brought it to port. What she has continued to seamlessly do to prepare for veto, lame duck, and in preparation for the 104th is unmatched. She’s brilliant and a radiant star. Not only is the House lucky but the entire State is lucky to have her!
HGOP: Jen Paswater is phenomenal and always has been. She is great to work with on any issue. She is admired by staff on both sides of the aisle.
- Windy city - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 4:54 pm:
Nora and allie…I agree hands down they are the hardest workers on staff
- Justin - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 5:06 pm:
HDems: Jacob Wargo and Allie McNamara have my votes. They both helped delivered critical wins for the Democratic Party. HGOP: Dane Thull. Institutional knowledge.
- Team Ariana - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 7:32 pm:
I’d like to nominate the duo of Kendra and Kat for House Dems. Together (and apart) they are unstoppable. Both assumed their management positions in the busiest and most hectic months of session and absolutely crushed it. They make a great team and continue to do great work. Kendra and Kat are hardworking, super smart, and hilarious. Staff love them. Members love them. And the Speaker is really fortunate to have them.
Jen Passwater is my nomination for House GOP. Jen is smart, approachable, and a great role model for new attorneys. She has great institutional knowledge and well-respected among all 4 caucuses. Jen is a great person all around.
- RBG - Tuesday, Dec 10, 24 @ 9:03 pm:
HGOP: Jen Paswater. Funny, smart, a good friend, and a great mentor. She has so much institutional knowledge and she is wonderful to work with.
HDems: Kat Bray all the way. She dropped everything to move back to Illinois from DC to rejoin staff at the end of April. She works tirelessly to get every detail of a bill right and to get every stakeholder on board. There is no comparison to her and Illinois is so lucky to have her back!
- flagfan - Wednesday, Dec 11, 24 @ 9:34 am:
HDEMS: Jon Maxson - the HDEMS are lucky to have him. He is a great political mind and his unwavering loyalty to the caucus should be admired. Jon is approachable, bright and a team player. He deserves the recognition!
HGOP: Jen and Dane make a great team for the HGOP caucus but I have to go with a nod to Dane Thull for the endless hours he spends on the floor with his members and assisting the HGOP floor leader with his remarks on what seems like ALL BILLS. It is a lot of work to review and edit all the staff’s analyzes after spending all day on your feet but he seems to get it all done!