Will Illinois’ primary give GOP voters a choice? Presidential delegates for Haley, DeSantis stack their candidates against Trump

There are about 30 more state primaries and caucuses to go until Illinois voters head to the polls on March 19.

That’s a long time for local Republican delegate candidates representing presidential contenders Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.

Both are trailing former President Donald Trump, who handily won the Iowa caucuses Jan. 15.

Conventional wisdom holds Trump will be the nominee despite facing numerous criminal charges including trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

But a brokered convention is “entirely possible,” noted state Sen. Don DeWitte. He’s a delegate for Haley and finds her experience as former South Carolina governor impressive.

Likewise, state Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris, a DeSantis delegate, is hoping the Florida governor has staying power.

“We need to make sure that we have somebody who can win in the general election and I believe Gov. DeSantis is that person,” Rezin said.

Trump delegate Karen Tirio of Woodstock said “Iowans spoke loud and clear“ in caucuses. “They want, no, they need an America-First leader.”

DeWitte of St. Charles backs Haley “because in the state of Illinois, and particularly north of I-80, I don't believe Donald Trump has any chance of garnering enough support to even have an impact,“ he explained.

“Illinois is always problematic from the standpoint it’s overwhelmingly blue. The issue of Republicans winning anywhere in Illinois always boils down to being able to draw moderate Democrats, who may have issues with their selected candidate. (And) it’s also important to draw independent voters who have a tendency to lean more conservatively.

“I believe Nikki Haley has the best opportunity in Illinois to be able to draw those two voter components,” DeWitte said.

However, Rezin, who campaigned for DeSantis this month in Iowa, thinks the Florida governor can win over Illinois’ GOP base.

Rezin, whose district includes Will and Kendall counties, spent some time in Florida during the pandemic and “was incredibly impressed with (DeSantis’) ability to communicate with constituents.”

“I respect that the governor is able to accomplish so much and just not talk about what he’s going to do. He identifies a problem, sets a goal and solves it in a timely manner.”

For example, DeSantis’ administration replaced a bridge destroyed in a recent hurricane within days, she said.

Political scientist Kent Redfield is dubious Trump will face any challengers come Illinois’ primary.

But the chance of Haley still being a viable candidate “when you get to Illinois are greater for her than DeSantis,” said Redfield, University of Illinois at Springfield professor emeritus.

Should that happen, however, a more moderate Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will bump up against a dedicated block of Trump voters.

DeSantis, who’s drawn fire for battles with Disney and restricting LGBTQ rights, visited the suburbs in 2023. Despite his conservative credentials, it’s unlikely base voters would switch from Trump, Redfield said.

Election results show 60% of Republican votes in the 2022 gubernatorial primary came from conservative downstate Illinois, he noted.

In that election, moderate Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who received substantial backing from establishment Republicans, lost to former state Sen. Darren Bailey, a Trump supporter who opposes abortion and fought masking during the pandemic.

Based on that model, Trump is poised to do very well in Illinois’ GOP primary, Redfield said.

That’s fine with Tirio, chair of the McHenry County GOPAC, which organized a fundraiser featuring Donald Trump Jr. last fall in Addison.

“The current administration has put America last and their replacement population strategy is not going to work. We will unite under the Make America Great Again strategy,“ she said. ”Even immigrants coming here for the right reasons will have nothing to stay for if we have four more years of this anti-American, broken, warmongering America-last president.“

“I’m proud to be a delegate for the best president of my lifetime.“