Inside Dan McConchie’s Takeover of the Senate GOP
Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) took out Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) Thursday after a quick sprint to secure support from a majority of the caucus.
If Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) led a coup d'é·tat on Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) resulting in Brady being pushed out of his leadership position in favor of McConchie, the suburban lawmaker had co-conspirators from downstate.
We spoke with numerous sources Thursday aware of discussions, posturing, and negotiations that led to Brady’s announcement Wednesday he would not seek another term as Republican Leader and the quick election of McConchie to the post Thursday.
We’re told McConchie, who was appointed to the Senate in 2016 and elected later that year, has been posturing for Brady’s leadership post for some time. Serious efforts to upend Brady, though, kicked into gear in the last month.
Sources indicate McConchie teamed with two downstate Republicans, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) to begin whipping votes among the caucus. One lawmaker told me the first call about McConchie’s candidacy came from Barickman.
Rezin was rewarded with an appointment as McConchie’s Deputy Leader.
We’re told numerous Senate Republicans voiced opposition privately and even in person to Brady in recent months they were concerned about a presence that was considered weak and ineffective. Many also spoke of concerns that Brady had positioned himself too closely to Governor JB Pritzker.
We’re also told of significant concerns about Brady’s leadership on political issues, calling him “unwilling” to make necessary changes to the Senate Republican campaign structure and critical of his grasp on political issues.
In recent weeks, as Republicans were being dramatically outspent in the two campaigns the caucus was actively involved in, we’re told the “mood of the caucus shifted” and there was “growing dissatisfaction,” opening the door for McConchie to jump.
Sources indicate Brady found out of the insurgent campaign against him last week, but by Friday, McConchie had secured the votes to take the post.
An aide for Brady did not return a call from The Illinoize.
It’s not clear what changes McConchie will make to either a Senate Republican state or campaign operation, or what his priorities will be for the caucus in the short term.
A message left at McConchie’s district office Wednesday has not been returned.
One Senate Republican told us “we want an insurgent minority who works together [with the Governor and Democrats] when we can.”
It’s clear McConchie will refocus efforts on fundraising. Each of the 59 seats in the Senate will be on the ballot in 2022 after the decennial redistricting. It appears, as of Friday morning, that Republicans will hold a record low of 18 seats heading into the next cycle.
While Brady lost support of his caucus, some Senate Republicans were effusive in praise of his efforts
“Lots of people like Bill Brady,” said one Senator. “Just because you like someone doesn’t mean you can keep doing the same thing.”
