Political Operatives Call Welch Map Efforts "Demoralizing," "Spiteful" to GOP
Republican operatives and former elected officials say House Speaker Chris Welch drew proposed new legislative districts to “take a sledgehammer” to and “demoralize” Republican members.
Expectedly, Republican leaders in the General Assembly denounced proposed new legislative maps drawn by Democrats. But some top Republican consultants and former elected officials are taking an unvarnished view of new House Speaker Chris Welch’s first redistricting effort.
Let’s just say, their reviews aren’t five star Yelp submissions.
"For anyone who had the slightest glimmer of hope that the end of Mike Madigan would bring upon a new era in Illinois politics, Chris Welch just showed Illinois voters his true colors,” said one longtime GOP strategist. “The era of corrupt Mike Madigan-style politics has not ended with Welch as Speaker. Republicans should and will take this map to the courts and fight back against Democrats like Speaker Welch and Governor Pritzker who both have lost every drop of their integrity in this remapping process."
House Democrats took a far more aggressive path with their half of the legislative map, placing Republicans into as many as 10 potential member vs. member primaries. One of which includes four Republican incumbents drawn into the same district.
“Just when you think the Democrats can’t go any lower, you see this map,” said another GOP operative. “This process is completely non-transparent. It’s opaque. But now you know why. I’d be embarrassed to show this map to any logical, well-meaning voter in the state. It takes a sledgehammer to the Republican Party. “
Another House Republican, Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst), a frequent critic of the legality of Democrat-sponsored legislation, was drawn out of her eastern DuPage County district into a district held by Democrat Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park).
“Mazzochi was drawn one block out of an open district with a significant portion of her old district, and instead placed into a district with a Democratic incumbent.,” said a former GOP lawmaker. “That’s just spiteful.”
Some GOP operatives believe Welch is trying to show Republicans he’s completely in control.
“If Republicans already felt like they couldn’t get anything done in Springfield, this map just has to be demoralizing,” said a moderate GOP operative. “It’s going to make it harder to recruit pragmatic candidates instead of right wingers who can’t win a General Election.”
Operatives said Welch is attempting to show his strength following the departure of longtime Speaker Michael Madigan.
“Welch makes Madigan look reasonable,” said one longtime suburban operative.
“Business as usual is what we expect and Speaker Welch delivered. Bravo,” said another GOP strategist. “You are who we thought you were.”
Though one Republican joked drawing multiple conservative “Eastern Bloc” members into one district could benefit the GOP caucus in the long run.
“How devastating is it when they group a bunch of caucus troublemakers into one district,” the operative asked. “I think Welch did Durkin a favor on the Eastern Bloc.”
In the end, though, one strategist sees positives for Republicans in 2022 because Welch doesn’t have as strong of a political organization as Madigan.
“Welch doesn’t have the operation to back [this map] up.,” the operative said. “House Democrats are going to have to win their own races, which they haven’t had to do in years. They have multiple internal caucuses who don’t get along. The map is what it is, but the GOP should be energized.”
The Illinoize reached out to multiple Democratic operatives who said they didn’t want to comment on the proposal.