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Ives tries to explain ‘complete wipeout,’ says GOP needs ‘Trumpian type of voice’ in 2026 (Updated)

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* Former state Rep. and current Illinois Republican Party state central committeeperson Jeanne Ives was on Dan Proft’s radio show this morning talking about yesterday’s Republican losses. Excerpts…

Ives: In most of these races, we were completely wiped out. Republicans lost.

I mean, in Milton Township, we used to have every single position. Lost every single one of them to the Democrats. In some cases, like the Democrat supervisor, she’s never been to an actual board meeting, ever, you know? So she won. Our long-term highway Commissioner, who’s great, ran against a business agent of local 150 and he lost. He’s been in that position for a good 20 years. Does great work. You can expect now that they will unionize that workforce and raise your taxes. So I mean complete loss there.

Even our Dennis Reboletti. He’s been a long-time name in politics. He’s losing right now as Addison supervisor. Winfield used to be controlled by Republicans. They lost. York used to be controlled by Republicans. They lost. These are the township races. It’s just, West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda. He lost. Complete wipeout.

Proft: So why?

Ives: Well, I do think that they didn’t have clear messaging. In many cases, you just have to hit people between the eyes. I also do think that when it comes to anything that deals with education or mental health, people, unfortunately, are just willing to spend whatever it takes, and that’s not the answer, and they just for what they just do. They just vote for these people who vote for, oh, it’s for education, it’s for mental health. But really overarching, overarching, it’s no clear message. Republicans just went on spring break and didn’t vote early. And part of that is maybe we didn’t reach enough people to tell them, although there was a big effort to make sure people try to early vote. But the other thing is, I just think the unions are extremely strong in the suburbs, and they have built in ability to turn out their people behind every teacher. You can at least get five more people, and all you need to do is send an email from the union to tell people who to vote for. And I just they, you know, they their salaries on the line, and their control is on the line, so they show up. […]

Mayor Pekau’s loss in Orland Park. I mean, honestly, I think Keith is the best mayor in the entire state, and he’s done so much good for that. And he got wiped out because of mixed messaging from RINO Republicans about who was the Republican in the race, because Trump won that race, 57-43, but that got really, such a nasty race. […]

Proft: Well, what do you think? Where do we go from here? […]

Ives: Well, I think, you know, in 2026 we just really need a candidate who’s got, like a Trumpian type of voice that is unafraid to say what needs to be said and tell people the truth and does it. And the media can’t ignore that message when it’s a sort of a governor’s race or a senatorial race or something like they can’t necessarily ignore it. Maybe people will hear it, and, you know, a big voice will help connect the dots. Because I do think that people pay attention to, maybe more the national situation going on, some of the state but I mean, just the idea that Pritzker got a pass after giving Gotion, the Chinese Communist Party backed Gotion, a half a billion dollars. Rivian, who’s never made a one red cent of profit, nearly a billion dollars in tax incentives. This is, this is insane, and the people wonder where their money is going. You’re wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on these nonprofits that do nothing, that should not be government funded. I mean, maybe that would help if, in 2026 somebody with a big voice and a lot of money behind that voice, because that’s what Pritzker has got, what $350 million behind this campaign? And by the way, Pritzker played in these local races, you know. You know, and his lessers too, like Chris Welch, came out to walk in Wheaton with the Democratic township candidates and the IEA endorsed candidates. Sick. It’s just sick.

* Proft also talked about the RINOs…

These, these RINOs, doesn’t even begin to describe these people, the enemies inside the [garbled]. That’s another rolling problem. But that’s the problem you have when you have no party, no party leadership. It’s just a warlordocracy. And it’s been that way for, I mean, really, in the Republican Party, if we’re being honest, in Illinois, it’s been that way ever since George Ryan went away. It really has. Warlordocracy, not a good way to organize. Warlordocracy, not a good way to run a party.

* More Tuesday react from the self-proclaimed “RINO hunter” Tom DeVore…

They will never understand. The Trump backers who are not Republican supporters are the actual RINOs.

…Adding… Wheaton’s school district…

Oops…

Jeanne had a really bad day.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:49 pm

Comments

Re: “Trumpian type of voice,” see Bailey (42.37%) vs Pritzker (54.91%), 2022.

Comment by Linus Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:54 pm
“… to say what needs to be said and tell people the truth and does it.”

Not exactly what one associates with Trump.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:56 pm
Taking advice from Proft and Ives about where the GOP should go from here is the surest path to a further degradation of the GOP in Illinois.

Comment by ModerateGOP Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:58 pm
I remember having a long conversation with Ives when she was in the House. She was absolutely sure there were huge numbers of people who just didn’t vote because they thought the candidates just were not far enough to the right.

She was convinced Illinois really wasn’t a Dem leaning state but really a state where the GOP would stampede to victory if people like her were at the top of the statewide ticket.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:02 pm
80 million Trump supporters, but how many in Illinois Tom? The math ain’t mathing, but nothing much is in inside that head.

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:03 pm
Wasn’t that why Alan Keyes lost…he wasn’t conservative enough?

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:05 pm
= we just really need a candidate who’s got, like a Trumpian type of voice =

Talk about unclear on the concept.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:08 pm
So to sum up:

Q: How can Republicans succeed in a heavily Democratic state?
A: By more closely imitating the man that Democrats hate with every fiber of the being.

Perhaps Ives should reconsider this position?

Comment by Benjamin Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:09 pm
It is comforting to hear Ives, Proft, and DeVore explain the problem. Wasn’t it last year when DeVore insisted he is not a Republican? How does that work, Mr. DeVore? You ran as a Republican, then lost, then declared you are not a Republican, and now you are wanting the Republican Party to become like more like you - Republican. Geez.

Comment by H-W Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:09 pm
Her take on the suburbs is predictably witless.
Most suburban teachers don’t live in the district where they teach. These aren’t unions conspiring to turn out votes against the downtrodden locals. It’s just voters deciding they’d like to have things like better schools, even if it costs more.
Oh, the despair!

Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:13 pm
” Complete wipeout.”

How do we fix it? Much much much more of the same.

LOL.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:13 pm
By all means, Jeannie, push the culture war stuff even harder, just like the Trumpists. I can only hope it works out as well for you as it has previously.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:15 pm
Perennial losers sure have a lot to say.

Comment by Walter Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:15 pm
Jeannie Ives crying again to Dan Proft? Well, that IS what she’s most successful at

Comment by redrepublican65 Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:15 pm
IIRC Ives didn’t win her home Milton Township when she ran against Casten. But no, it’s not her who’s out of step. Go ahead ILGOP, double down on the Trump brand and culture war nonsense that’s radioactive in the whole populated part of the state

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:16 pm
I was an Addison Township committeeman back with Pate,Hyde,Jim Ryan,Lee Daniels. All of them would be considered RINO by these idiots that have destroyed the Republican Party in Illinois. I thought with Keyes it could not get worse and it has. The party will never win a statewide office in 50 years. Who will they run? Who has money or name recognition? Better yet wi is normal?

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:17 pm
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem l, it’s me.

Comment by Jeanne Swift Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:20 pm
= Ives: Well, I do think that they didn’t have clear messaging. =

Have a good day.

Comment by Dirty Red (RINO) Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:21 pm
Trump makes them lose seats
GOP gets more like Trump
Trump makes them lose seats
GOP gets more like Trump
The cycle lives on.
Perhaps Ives is thinking of running?

Comment by ste_with a v_en Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:22 pm
I hope no one tells them that Tesla sells electric cars.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:26 pm
I think Illinois is crying for a Ives/DeVore ticket, I mean just waiting to cast their ballots for the GOP Dream Ticket. Maybe have Bailey and Salvi on for AG and SOS to really get the turnout going.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:29 pm
One reason I truly like Jeanne Ives is she never says anything that she thinks is wrong. She’s not going to willingly lie to you. That’s a very special thing for a politician. But… how often she is unbelievably wrong… is very special too.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:31 pm
They lost because they come up with sociopathic policies that no one wants.

Comment by retiredtieronebutstillworking Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:33 pm
It wasn’t just Jeanne Ives who had a bad day. DuPage GOP chair Kevin Coyne’s “Safe Suburbs USA” appears to have simply closed up shop after losses across the board. Website and social media gone since last night.

Comment by Tim Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:38 pm
We heard this message way back when Republican losses were fewer and less dramatic. The money men funded the radical right’s takeover and now the wins are fewer and fewer.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:38 pm
Yep, nailed it Jeanne, never change.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:40 pm
There are no solutions, only tradeoffs.

The Republican Party is now the party of working class. The Democratic Party is the white collar party. DuPage is a white collar county. It makes sense Republicans would continue to do poorly.

The national GOP loves the tradeoff. The IL GOP does not. Such is life.

Comment by 312Lawyer Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:50 pm
Second City performers wish they could write this kind of comedy gold.

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:50 pm
Request for the end of the week musical selection:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBURLdhmmZ8

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:55 pm
What is the “strong voice” message? It’s not like Trump played that well in Illinois. The downside of being the party of rage of the day (immigrants, trans people, etc…) is rage goes away and you need to find a new thing to get folks angry about.

Instead of looking at candidates who were successful in the past and try to figure something out they just want to push their version of Republican views.

You all need to stop listening to yourselves online and on talk radio. It ain’t gonna happen, as long as guys in Wisconsin are willing to spend millions on losing efforts there is no desire to change.

In their minds voters like me were RINOs thanks to what they are pushing we are becoming NERINOs, not even Republicans in name only

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:56 pm
Many of us have been raised with the maxim “I hate Illinois Nazis.”

That’s a pretty hard message for the ILGOP to overcome while they’re supporting folks who perform Nazi salutes as a gesture of love.

If they want to double down on a “Trumpian” message and find themselves a “Trumpian” candidate, I’m not going to stop them but the problem isn’t the messenger, it is the message.

The GOP let Nazis ruin their party and define their issues and that stuff does not work in the land of “I hate Illinois Nazis.”

Illinois isn’t Chris Miller’s and Mary Miller’s district.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:59 pm
My Grandma would have called Ives’s outburst a “Conniption fit.” …Oh, my goodness!

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:03 pm
Once one remembers that the message of Proft and Ives has a target audience of two — Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein — their unhinged jabber begins to make sense.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:06 pm
==== but I mean, just the idea that Pritzker got a pass after giving Gotion, the Chinese Communist Party backed Gotion, a half a billion dollars. Rivian, who’s never made a one red cent of profit, nearly a billion dollars in tax incentives. This is, this is insane, and the people wonder where their money is going====

Has she heard of a company named Tesla? And the incentives they receive? Also they didn’t make money in their early years either.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:08 pm
= The Trump backers who are not Republican supporters are the actual RINOs. =

Rich, you have been in this business longer than me, and I think I get your sentiment. I simply ask, what Republican supporter on the state central committee or in Party leadership is not backing Donald Trump? I’m not aware of any Republican actively in an elected or appointed position publicly speaking against the President. Anyone critical of Dear Leader was censured, primaried, fired, or otherwise disavowed long ago. It was a hostile takeover sanctioned by enough of the “Whatever it takes to win” crowd. Unfortunately, it worked and they are still in power. We haven’t yet figured out how to beat them.

The Devores and the Ives’ seem to be spending a lot of capital distancing themselves from “RINOs,” so I’ll embrace it because the Republican Party certainly is not condemning the hate, violence, betrayal, and policies Trump enables. Every time they say RINO, I’m reminded of what makes them cheer. Every time they say RINO, I’m reminded of all the times they said the same of the Jims and JBT that made the Republican Party something they wanted to takeover.

The Republican Party lost big time this week for the very reasons RINOs have been championing for decades. Even after Trump is gone, the Republican Party will still be a prominent political force in American politics. Every time they say RINO, it’s a reminder we have work to do and that it’s worth doing.

/rant

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:13 pm
It’s almost like Proft and Ives don’t really know what’s happening…almost.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:15 pm
Democrats got back to the basics this cycle and it clearly shows in last night’s results. I even saw pictures of Speaker Welch knocking doors in Milton Township. I don’t remember seeing Jeannie Ives knock on any. Proft asked Why? Answer: Republicans got out worked.

Comment by Democrats Knocked Doors Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:16 pm
If you think the “solution” is to become more Trumpian in Illinois be my guest. You’ll continue to lose. What is it about Republicans that do not get that their ideas are not winners in Illinois. Instead of adapting their answer is to always say they need to go even more crazy. If you’re a Republican you need new leadership of your party because your party’s leaders have no intention of ever winning an election.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:16 pm
They will never ever, ever, ever, never ever, understand…not never.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:17 pm
Racial population demographics have changed significantly in Illinois over the past decades. To ignore that reality and its effects on voting is to ignore reality.

Comment by Mason County Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:23 pm
–The Republican Party is now the party of working class.–

Yeah, because going back to child labor and ensuring you never have enough to retire has long been a goal of the working class.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:24 pm
== Jeanne had a really bad day. ==

Given how consistently outraged she is, I think the only good days would be if she happened to run over a puppy with her car on a particular day.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:29 pm
So, Jeanne, do you want to chair the party and right the message? also what did you do in the run up to the election? did you question the approach? You act like you are not part of leadership. Own the losses.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:49 pm
“Ives: Well, I do think that they didn’t have clear messaging.”

Oh, I think the messaging was very clear, based on the mailers I received. It’s just that nobody was buying it.

Comment by Tim Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:55 pm
The more Mean Jeanne and Profit talk, the less support they have.

Comment by Morty Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:01 pm
= Ives: Well, I do think that they didn’t have clear messaging. =

The messaging has been very, very clear. And the people don’t like it. Duh.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:06 pm
- I also do think that when it comes to anything that deals with education or mental health, people, unfortunately, are just willing to spend whatever it takes, and that’s not the answer, and they just for what they just do. -

Is this the type of clear message Ives suggests for others??…it’s as clear as a mud puddle?

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:06 pm
Rich - great insight, dude. You’re absolutely right. It is the Trump voters who are the RINOs.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:11 pm
===It is the Trump voters who===

Not all. Just the ones who don’t support the party. It’s their right not to, but they’re not really Republicans, they’re Trumpists.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:15 pm
== they didn’t have clear messaging==

If you’re a state central committeeperson it’s your unclear messaging.

Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:37 pm
===but they’re not really Republicans, they’re Trumpists.===

We’re at a point where we can make the argument that the “Grand Ol’ Party” is Trumpist and that “being Republican” is sort of a meaningless term at this point.

“The other guy hates Tesla” is a really unusual position to be running on for school board. Aside from it really having nothing to do with school board or local elections (Unless Tesla is building a factory here, which Musk won’t do because we value workers rights here) from a messaging standpoint it is still several degrees removed from things voters might be familiar with.

Trump is the guy who was on the ballot. Trump is the guy that has captured the GOP. Trump is the name you should be using if you’re trying to appeal to Trump voters. Folks that stopped supporting the GOP because of how the party has become a cult of personality for Trump aren’t going to suddenly be moved because of love for Tesla.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:44 pm
The criticisms of the Illinois Republicans, both state and local organizations, are valid.

What is somewhat troubling is the undertone: a few seem pleased at the prospect of Illinois becoming a “one party” state as if that is a good thing.

Trump’s political comeback in 2024 was due in part to a majority of voters who feared the end of political competition.

Comment by Healthy competition? Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:53 pm
===a few seem pleased at the prospect of Illinois becoming a “one party” state===

What the partisans are pleased with, as far as I can tell, is that people like Ives et al haven’t yet figured out how to get out of this hole.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:56 pm
As a now former GOP voter I watched this happen in suburban Cook…then Lake County, and now DuPage County. It’s quite stunning and the ILGOPs only answer has been to blame the rinos and not learn from decades of losses. Btw it’s also a great job by the Dems to flip and retain power.

Comment by Scoot Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 6:34 pm
She is always so angry. She should go down to Florida with Rauner and Griffin. She’s never going to understand what went wrong.
It’ll never be her fault.

Comment by Frida's Boss Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 6:43 pm
= …et al haven’t yet figured out how to get out of this hole. =

If only you could reason with irrational people.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 7:08 pm
Rage, Jeanne, rage, against the dying of the light… I can only hope this is a bellwether of the midterms.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 7:59 pm
DuPage would like to sincerely thank Jeannie Ives and Dan Proft for their continued contributions to the DuPage Democratic Majority.

Comment by Blue Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 8:47 pm
===What is somewhat troubling is the undertone: a few seem pleased at the prospect of Illinois becoming a “one party” state as if that is a good thing.

It’s pretty much there already. I do enjoy laughing at the IL GOP, but I’d be happy to have moderate Republicans make a comeback. There’s just no evidence they are and the current problems are entirely on the IL GOP.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 8:50 pm
I’m a lifelong Republican and I don’t know a single Republican in Illinois who still trusts Jeanne Ives. Her bitterness, vindictiveness, and back stabbing are the stuff of legend at this point. Dan Proft sitting down in south Florida presumably only promotes Ives because no one else wants to be in his orbit either. The George Costanzas of politics. Republicans should just do exactly the opposite of what they say, and then maybe find some success.

Comment by Here we go again Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 10:11 pm
- I’m a lifelong Republican and I don’t know a single Republican in Illinois who still trusts Jeanne Ives. -

You run around with a different kind of republican than all the ones I know, because they love this stuff.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Apr 3, 25 @ 6:29 am
“Don’t let teacher unions and Democrats trying to take down Tesla…..”

Why do Republicans think it’s wrong for working people to put their money together to support political candidates, but it’s OK for Elon Musk and his ilk to buy elections?

Comment by Fivegreenleaves Thursday, Apr 3, 25 @ 7:03 am
= I’m a lifelong Republican and I don’t know a single Republican in Illinois who still trusts Jeanne Ives. =

She was in the House gallery, introduced, and applauded just last week.

Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Apr 3, 25 @ 9:04 am