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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards

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Illinois

* I’ve been pretty busy this morning, so I’ll announce yesterday’s winners when I close down comments later today.

Today’s categories…

* Best legislative campaign staffer - Democrats

* Best legislative campaign staffer - Republicans

I wasn’t going to take those nominations this year, but there was some push-back in comments. Instead, I’ve combined four awards into two to save some time.

Remember to explain your votes or they won’t count. Thanks!

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:04 pm

Comments

Democrats would have to be a tie between Mitch Schaben in the Senate (Forby in 2012 & Manar in 2014) and Anne Schaeffer in the house (2014 Sue Scheer). Mitch and Anne work tirelessly and manage to not get bogged down in the distractions of a day to day campaign.

Repubs …. not sure. Is Ron Wilson still around he was always a class act.

Comment by Spliff Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:26 pm
People begged me to post this and then nobody is bothering to nominate.

Not making me happy.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Senate - Mitch Schaben is the guy that managed the last Forby and Manar campaigns and he still provides support to both continuously. He is calm, detail oriented, and a great strategist. He keeps his candidates on message and doesn’t let them get lost or waste time on unproductive communications or activities. He is making a name for himself and will be in high demand in the future.

House: Anne Schaeffer is smart, well-organized and works hard for any camp she is working on.

Comment by santa Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Roxanne Owens for the Senate GOP. She does all of the behind the scenes fundraising and administrative work (the stuff that goes on year round every year). She’s always friendly, pleasant and well organized.

On Democrat side, Will Cousineau is a machine.

Comment by No name Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:57 pm
Sorry Rich, but with some of these categories, there are those of us who live in the “boonies” as opposed to Springfield or Chicago who really do not have opinions on some of these people or places. I have talked to some staffers of my members of the GA, but I would not feel qualified or comfortable nominating them for a “Best” award.

Comment by illini Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 12:57 pm
Sorry. Did not notice this was a D/R, not a House/Senate question. My vote above should be for Schaben.

Repub vote would be for Patrick Barry. He has been around for a long time, is a seasoned campaign worker, and still provides ongoing support for the caucus. He’s proven to be dependable and an asset for the Senate GOP.

Comment by santa Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Nick Bellini for sure on R’s side. He is always the first to know what’s going on and what to be ready for from the opponent. He is always effective, timely, and knowledgeable as to what works in all areas of the state. Let us not forget how well he can show his members the consequences of votes throughout not just election years, but off years as well! No better guy in the Capitol!
Dems are a toss up. Obviously they all take and follow directions well.

Comment by capitollife Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Anne for the House Dems because she has been winning tough races for years. Don’t know the current GOP staffers.

Comment by nona Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Mitch Schaben is amazing. He is not only professional but friendly and super smart. He gets the job done and I am really happy he is on Senate staff. He makes my job easier. He deserves recognition for all his hard work.

Comment by Santa Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 1:39 pm
I nominate Jordan Ryan on the R side. Competent, smart and always informs the House Republicans of the pertinent talking points and positions of the caucus.

Comment by 2nd Ward Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:07 pm
Not sure about Schaben–Forby 2012 and Manar 2014 were cakewalks–good news for Senate Dems is Brendan O’Sullivan is back and again at the top of his game–no doubt best Senate Dem campaign staffer–and guess what, he’s not on a public payroll either.

Comment by Observer Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:07 pm
GOP: Nick Bellini. I know he was nominated yesterday, but this is the category he should win. He is relentless and has been doing this so long that he is the GOP campaign.

DEM: Anne Schaeffer. Anne has been nominated in previous years, but this is her year to win the award. As previous posters have noted, she often leads some of the more difficult races. More than that though she is mentor to new staff and provides a great example of how to stay organized and task oriented, all with a smile on the face. And it hasn’t been mentioned this year, so I will add that she also led the re-map staff for the Dems. Anne Schaeffer is a team player and winner.

Comment by Toothpicks and Ice Cream Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:24 pm
Julia Larkin with the House Dems. There is no other staffer who takes on more political responsibility during a non election year than Larkin, not to even mention what she handles during a campaign year. Larkin heads up the Speaker’s candidate recruitment and opposition research in the odd years which sets everything in place for the even years. In some way or another, she’s worked with candidates from all ends of the state. Among all that she takes the time and effort to train newer staff in her areas of expertise, a true sign of leadership that benefits the entire organization in the long term.

Can’t speak as strongly to the GOP but Bellini always seems to be the crowd favorite who contributes a great deal to their top races each year.

Comment by Abe Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Dem: Anne Schaeffer. She has the patience and energy to deal with Sue “Space Cadet” Scherer, and keeps calm when fires erupt (which is a constant thing when dealing with Silly Sue). She’s a worker and a political bulldog.

Comment by Under Influenced Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm
Dems - Liz Nicholson. She is wonderful and makes money fall from the sky. That money thing is very important to campaigns.

Comment by Crazy Like a Fox Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 3:02 pm
I forgot to nominate Louie Mossos yesterday from the Senate Dems. A keen policy boss and a witty Greek. Ela!

Comment by anonymous Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 3:05 pm
Julia Larkin is very effective with a whole range of skills, and somehow figures out ways for others to get the credit for the many wins she helps to engineer.

Comment by walker Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 3:19 pm
Dems - Anne Shaeffer - She has a tea knack for motivating her candidates, staff and volunteers. She is also busy during odd years with full-time incumbency protection, ensuring even years are winners for the Dem members.

Repubs - Nick Bellini - He’s everyone’s favorite grumpy cat.

Comment by Maid Rite Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 3:21 pm
Senate Dem: Seth Miller. Schaben is an easy pick but its the little people, like Seth Miller, that do the grunt work needed to make big operations run.

House Dem: Anne Schaeffer.

Comment by SI Anon Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 3:38 pm
GOP: Nick McNeely - He helped win the only seat the GOP picked up last year and has been a force for years. He also helped Alderman Proctor take out Cahnman in Spfld & for that, we should all thank him.

Honorable Mention: Matt Eddy w HGOP. He helped put Terri Bryant over the top last year and deserves a nomination for not only that, but for his management of Wayne Rosenthal’s & John Cavaleto’s campaigns before that.

Dems: Currie 2

Comment by AnonyMau5 Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 4:11 pm
-Big Worm-

You’re right, every GOPer avoids you because of your race. I’m sure that’s really why /s

Rich, I cannot believe that has been left up for so long. Calling all Republican staffers in the Capitol racist? C’mon, give me a break.

Comment by Alex P. Keaton Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 4:14 pm
===I cannot believe that has been left up for so long===

You’re right. It’s gone. Sorry.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Dem Senate: Mitch Schaben has won two races by wide margins in tough districts. The Manar race in ‘14 bucked the trend downstate in big numbers despite the Senator’s not so “downstate” voting record.

Dem House: Anne Schaeffer does a great job with tough candidates and has earned a lot of respect.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Dems: Eric Lane on the House Democratic Staff deserves the nod. Eric is a machine and has been a vital part of their machine for the last decade. Eric asks for none of the glory and is the guy behind the guy who makes sure everything gets done without a single opportunity for error. A true asset to the House Democrats.

GOP: Bob Stefanski should get the award. He departed staff to join the Administration but he has run House races for years in some of the toughest areas. He was their go-to guy.

Comment by Circulator Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 5:29 pm
The Senate Dems have a number of good folks in their political shop but Liz Nicholson has earned this Horseshoe. Year after year she fundraisers her heart out. The money she helps raise enhances and furthers all the hard work other Senate Dem political staffers do. That combined effort helps propel their candidates to victory. Plus, she is a pretty awesome person as well.

Comment by DS Anon Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 5:33 pm
Looks someone killed our first try
So lets go with Anne achafer for the Ds and stick with Dunkin for the GOPies

Comment by Anonin' Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 7:15 pm
Brendan OSullivan for best dem staffer. Always overshadowed by madigan’s crew, but senate dems should be grateful to have him. Low drama, Brendan recruits good candidates and expends resources wisely while holding many senate seats that are paired with one and sometimes 2 GOP house members.

Comment by CornerGuy Friday, Dec 4, 15 @ 10:21 pm
Anne Schaeffer is absolutely the best person I’ve ever campaigned with! I’ve volunteered on many campaigns in the suburbs and know there is no one better than Anne! She is the best.

Comment by Alex Saturday, Dec 5, 15 @ 1:08 pm
For GOP, I nominate Chris Guy. He’s always worked the tough races and last cycle did the opposition research himself that ultimately sunk Cullen x2. For the last two cycles everyone has written Dwight Kay’s epitaph, but Guy always gets him across the finish line.

Comment by Monroe Sunday, Dec 6, 15 @ 9:15 am
Dems: Mitch Schaben gets my vote. He’s worked some difficult districts but he’s a hard worker.

Comment by Sith Lord Rauner Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:18 pm