(Chicago, IL) – April 11, 2012. Special Report: The March 20 GOP primary races for Chicago Republican Ward Committeemen witnessed four incumbent upsets out of 13 contested seats where incumbents were running, and saw a total of 27 new faces enter the GOP committeemen ranks, plus a jump in GOP voters going to the voting booths in Chicago.
Eloise Gerson, 42nd Ward Committeemen and Chicago GOP Chairman
The GOP committeemen race outcomes witnessed significantly more turnover and change than was seen in the Chicago Democratic Ward Committeemen races, which THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER reported last month.
There were 23 open seats up for grabs, 26 uncontested seats and 1 seat (22nd) with no candidate.
The highest profile race was that of Eloise Gerson, the Chairman of the Chicago GOP, who defeated two male opponents in the four-way contest, snagging 40.5% of the vote. Gerson, who is stepping down from the Chairman’s job but keeping her 42nd Ward post, beat back a challenge from Tom Smithburg and William J. Kelly.
Gerson is originally from Peru and became a U.S. citizen in 1994. She is also a leadership member of the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.
The GOP March 2012 turnout was up 10% over the last presidential primary cycle in 2008. The Chicago Board of Elections tallied 47,914 voters in 2012 versus 43,552 in 2008.
“The Republican Primary vote in Chicago is at the highest level in a decade under Chairman Eloise Gerson,” beamed Steve Boulton, the Executive Director of the Chicago GOP.
“I’ll gladly take that growth, but I’m sure we can do even better next time,” said Gerson.
Results of the 4 GOP Ward Committeemen incumbent upsets were as follows, where Jackie Robinson was ousted in a three-way race. Joseph Adamcik was knocked out in a four-way race:
| Ward | Winner (Vote Percent) | Loser(s) (Vote Percent) |
| 6 | Darnell Macklin (63%) | Jackie Robinson (29%), Michael Sangster (8%) |
| 7 | Juan Antoinio Diaz (51%) | Stanton Robinson (49%) |
| 28 | Shawn Walker (58%) | Margaree Jackson (42%) |
| 36 | Peter Podgorski (37%) | Joseph Adamcik (30%), Amelia Kabat (23%), Denise Garcia (10%) |
For complete GOP Ward Committeemen results, click here: Republican Ward Committeemen Election Results 2012.
Send comments to Mark Jones at [email protected].
Gov. Pat Quinn
Gerson is originally from Peru and became a U.S. citizen in 1994. She is also a leadership member of the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. This ain’t my daddy’s GOP Where’s Pate on this?
Posted by Jim Sather | April 12, 2012, 7:12 PMPate is pondering the matter from DuPage County.
DO
Posted by David Ormsby | April 12, 2012, 7:20 PMAnd collecting his enhanced pension
Posted by Jim Sather | April 12, 2012, 7:25 PM