Barickman, McConchie, Rezin Frontrunners for Senate GOP Leader
Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) appears to be one of three frontrunners for the vacant Senate Minority Leader position.
Sources say there are behind-the-scenes moves being made Wednesday afternoon to prevent a long, extrapolated, divisive fight among Senate Republicans to replace Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) as caucus leader.
We’re told the three names involved in discussions about the position are Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), and Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods).
The Republican caucus will likely be at either 18 or 19 members in January. The GOP is currently losing Sen. Jim Oberweis’ (R-Sugar Grove) west suburban seat. Though, Republican Anthony Beckman is within 27 votes of Sen. Rob Martwick (R-Chicago) on the northwest side of the city and suburbs.
Barickman has not returned a call seeking comment. (Disclosure: I managed his first campaign in 2012 and worked in his office. I consider him a longtime friend.) The Illinoize left a message with McConchie’s district office. Reached by text, Rezin would not comment on the record.
McConchie is considered the most conservative of the group, but 13 incoming Senate Republicans are considered “downstaters,” giving a downstate candidate a solid chance to win the job. Barickman voted to support gay marriage and to legalize marijuana in the state, which may dissuade some conservatives from supporting him.
Brady has indicated he wants the decision on his replacement made at the beginning of the scheduled veto session November 17th.