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* We had nearly unanimous winners this year. The 2021 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Democratic Campaign Staffer goes to Jon Maxson…
He is a tireless worker and an excellent example of a legislative staffer. This year Jon not only was the leader for the House redistricting effort, but also was one of the people who helped transition the House Dem political operation to Speaker Welch. No matter what you think of redistricting, an honest person will admit that it is a difficult, complex process that involves high stakes and a lot of competing personalities and interests. Jon, with a calm but direct demeanor, managed the incredibly difficult task of getting not one, but two legislative maps passed in the midst of a pandemic in which the Census itself was mismanaged and delayed by the previous administration in Washington. Let’s not forget that this cycle is just the second time in the modern era that the legislature has passed a legislative redistricting map that has been enacted by a governor. That’s no small feat.
Prior to redistricting, Jon led the House Dem communications team, helping shape not only talking points and issue messaging, but also helping newer staffers develop and improve their writing skills and better understand the members they work with. On the campaign side, Jon has led opposition research and direct mail. Campaigns are zero sum and Jon is not afraid to throw the punches necessary for a point to make an impact with voters. He also worked with lots of candidates, many of them first time candidates, to develop their skills talking to the media and talking to voters.
* The 2021 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Senate Democratic Campaign Staffer goes to Magen Ryan…
Magen Ryan is the rockstar of the Senate’s campaign operation. She guided them through a very difficult redistricting and oversaw the efforts to begin preparations for 2022. Her year may not have been as traumatic as Mary’s, but a redistricting year is never easy for the campaign people who have to deal with the legislative side of the shop.
Congrats to both.
* On to today’s categories…
* Best House Republican Campaign Staffer
* Best Senate Republican Campaign Staffer
Make sure to explain your votes or they won’t count. And, please, do your best to nominate in both categories. Thanks.
Also, the good folks at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois told me that they’re trying to raise $60,000 to buy Christmas presents for foster kids plus gift cards for the urgent needs of foster families. We’re at about $19,000 right now, and I think it would be great if we could push that to $20K and account for a third of LSSI’s fundraising goal. So, if you haven’t yet, please click here and donate. Thanks!
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 1:01 pm
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For the house, Erik Rayman is a true wizard behind the scenes. Mark Revis likely knocked more doors than anyone this cycle for my campaign. He worked nearly everyday for 5 months. Wish I could comment on the Senate but my head was down in my district.
Comment by Rep Batinick Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 2:05 pm
Rich, for HGOP Staffer I nominate Ryan Tozer. He is a behind-the-scenes staffer whose fingerprints are on everything that comes out of the HGOP shop. The dude learned from the tutelage of Nick Bellini. Which means he can win races without plutocrat money.
For SGOP I nominate Ellie Leonard. She is the glue that holds Leader McConchie together. He respects her and the team she put together is strong to its core. Leonard speaks softly and carries a big stick. Not to mention is a pretty rad mother.
Honorable Mentions: HGOP David Littlefield, Dane Thull. SGOP Mike Brooks, Matt Zimmerman.
Comment by Cletus Purcell Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 2:43 pm
House GOP - Ryan Tozer.
Ryan continually gets a an overflowing plate but somehow finds a way to manage everything and keep a smile on his face. Next time, Ryan gets another duty added to his plate, he is going to need another plate, and a refreshing beverage to go with it. With this year’s remap, he took on the bulk of the load behind the scenes. I know that people on this blog might not think the legislators did a lot of work on the GOP side in regards to the remap, but, I can assure you, staff (re: Tozer) actually did have a lot of long nights.
Comment by Lost in Place Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 2:54 pm
Ellie Leonard is not a campaign person.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 2:58 pm
Nick McNeely with the Senate Republicans is one of the brightest political minds in town. He has really been rebranding the SGOP to match the changing climate and working with data instead of just an ‘I Know Best’ mentality. He’s great to work with and they are lucky to have him.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 3:06 pm
Jayme Odem with the HRO has a proven track record of winning when and where other Republicans lose. She’s smart and organized and had incredible control over the caucus and the candidates while giving them room to breathe. She’s an asset and could mean trouble for the Dems this year.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 3:08 pm
Suzy Brown is a GOP fundraiser, not a staffer, but she’s one of the best in the state. She’s built an incredible all female business that has completely changed the way Republicans raise money. She’s a shining star who continues to rise and deserves a nod.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 3:11 pm
Roxanne Owens with the Senate GOP has been keeping the organization on track for the last 20 years. She’s well liked by members, candidates and lobbyists alike, and is a pro on the fundraising and finance side of running elections. Her institutional knowledge provides the GOP with an unteachable skill that is crucial to winning races. In a business where many say they know it all, Roxanne truly does and never brags about it.
Comment by Backroad Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 3:28 pm
Roxanne Owens. First and foremost she is the utmost professional. Most campaign people come and go from campaign cycle to cycle but Roxanne is there to organize the operation year in and year out. Whether it is the annual chicken fry, southern Illinois reception or a fundraiser for the Leader with a birthday twist, an event put together by her is guaranteed to be a good time.
Comment by Thats bettor Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 3:42 pm
Ryan Tozer for house gop. The steady hand and his sleeves are always rolled up. Leader Durkin’s go to guy but does not demand credit . Loyal to a fault. Nick and Roxanne for the gop , they are staples .
Comment by Sheri Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:09 pm
SGOP: Roxanne Owens - she keeps the organization standing despite turbulent times, she is always a reliable presence.
HGOP: Andrew Lockhart - he is a behind the scenes guy that doesn’t expect any praise, and keeps his nose to the grindstone.
Comment by Suburban Operative Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:18 pm
For the House and Senate Republican campaign hacks, there are two names that rise above the rest, Ryan Tozer from HGoP and Nick McNeely from SGoP. As members of the super-minority, their campaign efforts are truly Sysiphian. They both heave the rock without complaint. They claim to peak when others would cede to the climb. They watch as the boulder descends and they return to meet the challenge, again.
These two are professionals who know their members, know the candidates, know the issues, know the districts, know the precincts, and who revel in the day-to-day, smash mouth street fight that is Illinois legislative politics. Both Ryan and Nick understand strategy but also could write a treatise on tactics. The two are comfortable with overall campaign direction but also are just as happy knocking on doors with their candidate on a cold March evening.
There are many solid campaign staffers working for both GoP caucuses. Ryan Tozer and Nick McNeely, though, are the best.
Comment by SangamoGOP Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 4:19 pm
Couldn’t agree more, Roxanne is the one constant that keeps the SGOP running. She is roundly respected for her expert understanding of finance and reporting, payroll, fundraising; I could go on and on. Rox deserves the recognition for the career she build supporting her party and Caucus.
Ryan Tozer goes to work everyday with the purpose of growing his caucus. He is dedicated does the work against a better funded supermajority. Recognizing the dedication that takes Tozer is t one of the best they got.
Comment by Swing Vote Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 6:17 pm
HGOP- Ryan Tozer for all the reasons above.
SGOP- Roxanne Owens for all the reasons above and then some. Roxanne has spent years quietly keeping the trains running on time in what can often be a thankless job. Anyone who has ever worked with or for the SSRCC knows that Roxanne is a truly kind and caring human who truly deserves some recognition for all of her contributions.
Comment by I Voted! Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 7:25 pm
Roxanne Owens has been an integral part of the Senate GOP for decades. Always a total pro who you can trust to perform at a high level.
Comment by certain Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 7:30 pm
SGOP - Roxanne Owens for sure, professional, upbeat, and able to do the work and do it well. That’s not easy when you’re in the super minority, and is harder still when you’re responsible for the reporting and organizing.
HGOP - Ryan Tozer, who is as loyal as they come and understands the tactical and strategic elements of running not just one campaign but a number of campaigns across a diverse state.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 8:24 pm
McNeely js the real deal. Dedicated, fierce, smooth, smart.
Jayme Odom is the real deal. Dedicated, fierce, smooth, smart.
Comment by Space Cowboy Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 8:41 pm
I think the names that pop into my mind have been mentioned here. Honestly it’s hard to pick between Tozer and Odom in the House. If I had to give one the edge, it’s Jayme that’s been exceeding expectations since she took over the top spot, including coming out on the positive side of the scale in what was supposed to be a GOP bloodbath. She is a machine who lives and breathes for the job and the cause.
One the Senate side, Nick McNeely has a good feel for the raises and the candidates, but the thing that sets him apart is that he embraces new ideas and methods, and in some ways has his operation ahead of the other three. This is very important when the fundraising wells aren’t what they used to be.
Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Dec 9, 21 @ 9:54 pm