72-Hour "GOTV" efforts

During this 72-hour period, we helped with elections, at all levels of government. Kevin Masseth & Jeffrey Isbell were all over the state, assisting with the U.S. House campaigns of Andrea Zinga (17th Congressional District), David McSweeney (8th District), and Peter Roskam (6th District).

Others were phonebanking, at the HRO office and State Party headquarters.

The Chairman of the Sangamon County Board, the Hon. Andy Van Meter, had asked for our assistance with the campaign of Brad Jones, who was running to win back his seat to this important body. This was the first time we were so involved at the County level... Considering how influential and significant the Sangamon County GOP leadership is, this is a very important level in which to develop involvement.

On Election Day morning, we began at 6:30 AM, handing out cards, at polling places. We came back in the afternoon, and were active right up till the end of the day.



At the Sangamon County Republican Election Night Party (this was on November 7th - the night of the 2006 general election), we already got our first request for assistance, in the next elections. The Hon. Frank Lesko, a prominent local Republican, who we had worked indirectly with before, in supporting a U.S. Senate candidate, asked for our help, in his upcoming race for City Council. He was going to be running for the seat being vacated by powerful Democrat Alderman Chuck Redpath, and would be needing our help, in this campaign... Mr. Lesko said he has "heard nothing but good things" about the UIS College Republicans.

We would soon be greatly involved in elections, barely after this cycle was concluded.