Illinois GOP Hosts Pence Event, but Claim it Isn't an Endorsement
Top Illinois Republican Party officials hosted former Vice President Mike Pence for a luncheon Tuesday, but party officials say the event wasn’t indicative of an endorsement.
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The Illinois Republican Party is hosting a “pop-up” event with former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Mike Pence this afternoon, with an invitation paid for by the state party, in a manner that could look like an endorsement. But, state party officials say that’s not the case.
The invitation is from the entire state GOP finance committee, including GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter.
We’re told Pence was scheduled to be in Chicago today anyway and the state party is putting on the event to introduce donors to presidential candidates and will host any GOP presidential candidate that wants to meet donors.
A GOP spokesman reminded us the state party remains neutral in primaries.
"We’re thrilled to welcome former Vice President Pence to Illinois and welcome all Republican residential candidates to come to the Land of Lincoln and share their vision of a brighter future for America with our supporters,” Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said in a statement.
While Donald Trump holds a wide lead in most polling of GOP primary voters, an Illinois GOP spokesman says it shouldn’t be construed as the state party “thumbing its nose” at Trump-supporting Republicans.
A GOP spokesman wouldn’t say who is paying for the luncheon-style event and how it will impact federal campaign finance laws.