RNC Chair stresses importance of local elections at Lincoln Day Dinner
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Hundreds gathered at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria on Thursday for the Lincoln Day Dinner, one of the largest events in Illinois Republican politics.
It was hosted by the Peoria and Tazewell County Republican parties and has attracted big names in the past such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley took center stage as the keynote speaker, focusing his speech on the work of President Donald Trump as well as the importance of local elections.
He emphasized the importance of Republican voters making their voices heard at the ballot box, from voting in mayoral races to city council races. Whatley pointed out the board of education as a particularly salient entity as well.
'The most important races that we deal with in an election cycle, in terms of your family and every family, are what happens on the school boards,' he said.
He also referred to the Trump administration as the most effective one he's seen in the past 30-40 years, and that the reason Trump was able to win in November was due to the 'disciplined' messaging of his campaign.
What made Trump's 2024 candidacy so effective, according to Whatley, is that he was able to appeal to all sorts of people by sticking to a simple message. Most people want a strong economy and to feel safe, and he thinks they were allured to vote Republican as a result.
He also pointed to Trump giving speeches in bigger cities and speaking to minority media outlets as more reasons for why he won in November.
While he said 'it's not easy' being a Republican in Illinois, Whatley said the formula for turning things around is simple.
'Great candidates running great races, getting out to vote, and protecting the ballot,' Whatley said.
On that last point, Whatley said voter integrity is paramount. He believes an expected red wave did not happen in 2022 because some people did not think their ballot would be counted in a fair manner. Whatley says a message has been sent to Democrats in more recent elections that prosecution will result if any voter fraud takes place.
Whatley was introduced by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, who lauded the job Trump has done since taking office. From increased military recruitment to decreased southern border crossings, LaHood sees the country as in a great place under Republican leadership.
Peoria and Tazewell County Republican Party Chairs Chuck Weaver and Jim Rule also spoke at the event, focusing on the importance of getting the message out into the community in order to win elections.
Rule said that Illinois is in need of a 'significant culture change' while Weaver pointed to those such as newly elected Peoria City Councilman Alex Carmona as political leaders that could help turn the tide of Illinois politics in a more conservative direction.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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