Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy Faces Potential Ouster Saturday
Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy at a state central committee meeting in December. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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Sources say a group of members of the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee are working to force a vote of “no confidence” Saturday to remove Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy from his role.
Tracy, an attorney from Springfield, has served as chairman of the state party for a little more than two years. The party encountered epic losses in the 2022 election cycle and could face further losses in 2024.
Tracy has faced frustrations from grassroots activists and party insiders, especially in the wake of the 2022 election cycle.
“There is literally no one on the State Central Committee that doesn’t think Don is a good guy,” said a frustrated committee member who asked not to be identified. “But nobody thinks Don is a good chairman.”
It requires a 60% weighted vote of the 17-member state central committee to remove a party chair. The committee is scheduled to meet Saturday morning in Edwardsville.
A potential replacement has already emerged in southern Illinois Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville).
Plummer declined comment when reached Thursday evening.
A source close to the Madison County Senator confirmed Plummer had been approached about potentially taking the reins of the party.
We’re told a group of central committee members showed Plummer a whip count that shows Tracy is in “a lot of trouble” and approached Plummer about replacing Tracy as chairman, but Plummer, who is tied down at the end of the legislative session, hasn’t committed to seeking the spot.
Reached Thursday night, Tracy remained confident.
“There will be no change in Illinois Republican Party leadership now or in the foreseeable future,” Tracy told The Illinoize via text message.
The group of Tracy opponents apparently hasn’t locked down the votes as of late Thursday night.
“It is an ill conceived plan,” said one central committee member. “I don’t believe it will be successful.”
Even if Tracy isn’t deposed this week, it doesn’t appear the issue will go away.
“It’s likely [Tracy] won’t be chairman by Memorial Day,” said another central committee member. “He definitely won’t be chairman by the State Fair.”