DUPAGE GOP
— PRESS RELEASE: DuPage County GOP Brings Together Nearly 200 Republicans for Statewide Candidate Rally
Bloomingdale, IL — October 6, 2026 — Nearly 200 Republicans from across Illinois gathered Monday evening at Bloomingdale Golf Club as the DuPage County Republican Party hosted a statewide candidate rally featuring the Republican candidates running for statewide office in the November 3 General Election.
The enthusiastic crowd included Republicans from several counties across Illinois, along with dozens of local candidates, elected officials, township Republican leaders and grassroots activists.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Bob Grogan served as master of ceremonies and welcomed attendees before introducing DuPage County Republican leaders and township Republican chairmen from throughout the county.
The evening featured remarks from Republican candidates for statewide office, including Darren Bailey for Governor, Aaron Del Mar for Lieutenant Governor, Don Tracy for U.S. Senate, Bob Fioretti for Attorney General, Diane Harris for Secretary of State, Bryan Drew for Comptroller and Max Solomon for Treasurer.
Local and congressional candidates also addressed the crowd, including Sean Noonan for DuPage County Sheriff, Patricia Kladis-Schiappa for DuPage County Clerk, Niki Conforti for Congress in Illinois’ 6th District, Lupe Castillo for Congress in Illinois’ 4th District, Rob Vrankovich for State Representative in the 47th District, Pedro Mendoza for State Representative in the 46th District, Laura Hois for State Representative in the 81st District, and Eric Poplanski for DuPage County Board.
The candidates delivered what organizers described as a message of less government, lower taxes and greater accountability, while encouraging voters to make a plan to participate in the November election.
Following the formal program, candidates met with supporters, posed for photographs and distributed campaign yard signs.
Republican Leadership From Across DuPage
Grogan introduced Republican township leadership from throughout DuPage County, including:
• Mike Musson, Wayne Township
• Dave Rogers, Bloomingdale Township
• Art Woods, Addison Township Vice Chairman
• Jerry Evans, Winfield Township
• Jeff Castle, Milton Township and DCRCC Secretary
• Dan Kordik, York Township
• Andy Manno, Naperville Township
• Becky Rudolph, Lisle Township and DCRCC Vice Chair
• Tony Schiappa, Downers Grove Township
Elected officials and local Republican leaders from DuPage and surrounding counties also attended, including State Senator Seth Lewis, Will County Board Member Mark Revis, LaSalle County GOP Chairman Chris Lukow, Barrington Township Republican Committeeman Terry Yormark II, and numerous municipal and school board officials.
“A Sign That We Are Not Just Preaching to the Choir”
Grogan highlighted the energy in the room and the broad mix of attendees.
“On top of a great crowd with great energy was the fact that the room was filled with so many unfamiliar faces. That is a sign that we are not just preaching to the choir.”
DuPage County Republican Chairman Kevin Coyne said the rally demonstrated the strength of the Republican ticket from the statewide level to local races.
“It was a wonderful event and showcased the very strong candidates the GOP has running statewide and locally. We have terrific candidates up and down the ballot. Last night was a great opportunity for voters to meet them all. Now let’s get out there and vote and take a crack at turning our state around!”
The evening concluded with remarks from Carol Davis of the Illinois Election Integrity Program and Illinois Conservative Union, who encouraged attendees to become involved as poll watchers during the November election.
With early voting already underway, organizers encouraged Republicans to make a plan to vote, bring others to the polls, and stay engaged through Election Day on November 3.
MEDIA CONTACT
DuPage County Republican Party
info@dupagegop.com
630-653-7200
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Darin LaHood for US House of Representatives in District 16.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/06/editorial-darin-lahood-us-house-of-representatives-illinois-district-16/
— Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in District 12.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/06/editorial-mike-bost-us-house-of-representatives-illinois-district-12/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their illegals and fight their deportation.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/05/marimar-martinez-border-patrol/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their illegals and fight their deportation.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/10/05/marimar-martinez-lawsuit-trump-midway-blitz
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Glen Ellyn named the 19th-best small city in the U.S.
https://amp.bnd.com/news/local/community/belleville/article317496165.html
NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Ever-increasingly, the mainstream news media exists to defeat Republican candidates.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-10-06/democrats-advantage-is-clear-with-less-than-a-month-to-go-in-the-midterm-elections
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-10-06/as-trump-focuses-the-fbi-on-immigration-counterintelligence-is-falling-behind
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Durkin’s defection draws GOP fire.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/10/06/durkin-pritzker-endorsement-gop-fire-01107901
(FROM THE NEWSLETTER: ‘OPPORTUNIST’: Republicans blasted former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin on Monday for endorsing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in the governor’s race over his party’s nominee, Darren Bailey. The gall: Bailey’s lieutenant governor running mate, Aaron Del Mar, told Playbook Durkin’s move is “surrender dressed up as leadership,” adding that Durkin, now a Springfield lobbyist, is trying “to strengthen his ties to the Democratic establishment and fatten his wallet.” Durkin is a lobbyist with Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. Also weighing in: The Illinois GOP also criticized Durkin, calling him an “opportunist” seeking relevance, according to a statement. It’s “proof,” added Illinois GOP Chair Bob Grogan, “that the only way to save Illinois is by electing new, strong leadership like Darren Bailey.” It’s an old grudge: Durkin left the House after a bitter 2022 election cycle that exposed deep divisions within the Illinois Republican Party. Back then, Durkin refused to endorse Bailey for governor after Bailey defeated then-Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin — Durkin’s preferred candidate — in the Republican primary. A similar dynamic is playing out this year. After losing the primary to Bailey, Ted Dabrowski has remained silent about Bailey’s campaign. Instead, he recently launched a nonprofit possibly aimed at supporting his own future political efforts — a move critics say risks diverting resources from the November election. Sounds familiar: It’s not the first time Pritzker has won over a prominent Republican: in 2018, former GOP Gov. Jim Edgar refused to endorse Bruce Rauner, instead advising Pritzker’s campaign and later joining his transition team.)
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2026/10/06/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-821/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WIREPOINTS
— Glennon on Breakthrough Ideas: Did Illinois Taxpayers Pay for Credit Upgrades? – 560AM
https://wirepoints.org/wirepoints-mark-glennon-on-breakthrough-ideas-did-illinois-taxpayers-pay-for-credit-upgrades-560am/
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Outstanding DuPage County GOP Statewide Candidate Rally Monday, October 5 at 7:00 – 9:00 pm, at the Bloomingdale Golf Club. The statewide candidates are: Don Tracy for U.S. Senate ( https://dontracyforil.com/ ), Darren Bailey for Governor and Aaron Del Mar for Lt. Governor ( https://baileyforillinois.com/ ), Bob Fioretti for Attorney General ( https://www.bobforillinois.com/ ), Diane Harris for Secretary of State ( https://harrisforsos.com/ ), Bryan Drew for Comptroller ( https://www.drewforillinois.com/ ), and Max Solomon for Treasurer ( https://maxsolomon.info/ ). The DuPage GOP-provided video is at: https://www.facebook.com/DuPageGOP/videos/1607096254448960 ABC7 also filmed the event. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What do you say to my critics/opponents who discourage me from helping elect Republican candidates? More specifically, what do you say to my critics/opponents who discouraged me from hand-delivering the following to the 170 Independent households in my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 59 in Wheaton: DuPage County GOP-provided envelopes with 300 DuPage County Election-provided mailing labels that contained the outstanding Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) Voter Guide, the sample ballot, and Republican candidate literature from the 14 candidates who provided their literature to MTRO? To discourage me from seeking votes for Republican candidates from Independent voters in my precinct, my critics/opponents stress that according to polls, 54% of independents say their vote will be mostly to express their opposition to Trump. I stress the 46% of Independent voters who do not say that. According to my critics/opponents, I am far too conservative, and because of that, the more that I do to help Republican candidates, the fewer votes that they will get. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What do your critics/opponents do? My critics/opponents reject some, many, most, virtually all, if not all the planks in the Republican Party platform, most commonly, its personal responsibility, traditional marriage and family, right to life, immigration law enforcement, anti-vice, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. They blame conservatives like me for the defeats that Republican candidates suffer. They destroy those like me a) who they cannot manipulate or dominate, b) who refuse to glorify or praise them, c) who refuse to pander to them, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, e) who refuse to cover up their wrong doing, and/or f) who refuse to give them money. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What adverse actions have your critics/opponents had their operatives and their dupes take against you? My critics/opponents had their operatives and their dupes a) end my Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee membership in 2024, b) end my service as the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks in 2021, c) gerrymander my precinct in 2015 d) end my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship in 2012, e) end my Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) Steering Committee membership 2007, f) almost get ICRC to censure me for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters in 2006, g) end my Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) webmaster service in 2004 and 2010, and h) defeat my bid for the open MTRO Treasurer position in 2004 by a vote of 69 to 13. My critics/opponents have had great success turning MTRO, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and IRP leaders against me. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— I have been a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999. I have served as the GOPUSA Illinois reporter since 2000. I should write about Republican candidates and party leaders who have a) treated me like they can tell me what to do because I am a Republican Precinct Committeeman, b) denied that I am a reporter, c) demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me because I am a reporter, d) barred me from attending their events, e) barred me from attending their events unless I gave them money, f) intimidated/harassed me at their events, and/or g) had me thrown out of their events. I would focus on those candidates and party leaders who blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters the most for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Moving on from MAGA: 2028 GOP presidential field is suddenly getting crowded.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/6/moving-maga-2028-gop-presidential-field-suddenly-getting-crowded/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=subscriber&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_content=newsalert&utm_term=newsalert&tpcc=newsletter_newsalert&lctg=c264828b-7ff2-4c41-9e62-832f993e1664&bt_ee=AzqdljsQvuyin3bRsrOHtCl%2F6luw2YkkUvQqzKAj45E%3D&bt_ts=1791293294119
— Democratic socialism’s $50 trillion price tag. A hole big enough to bury the American economy.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/5/democratic-socialisms-50-trillion-price-tag/
— Harvard wants $10 million gifts to hire conservative professors — critics say it’s all about Trump. DD: In 1980, I was one of the last Republicans GAO hired. In 1971, I was one of the last Republicans IRS hired. In 1966, I was one of the last Republicans the Post Office hired.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/5/harvard-conservative-professors-plan-critics-tie-10-million-push/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Why young Americans think the market has failed them. DD: What did you do when you were young? I took jobs that my peers would never have stooped to take. I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970. I worked two jobs 1971-1972. I earned job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997. I earned job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997. I earned a job-related professional license in 1981. In today’s dollars, that increased my salary from $12.74/hour in 1964 to $19.57/hour in 1966, to $56,409/year in 1971, to $113,402/year in 1980, to $118,984/year in 1986, and to $154,682/year in 1997. The aforesaid enabled me to buy new cars in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1978, etc. The aforesaid enabled me to buy real estate in 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, and 1984. The aforesaid enabled me to get married in 1978. The aforesaid enabled me to buy collector cars in 1989 and 1994.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/4754132/why-young-americans-think-market-failed-them/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Imagine you are a recent college graduate in your mid-20s with student loan payments already due. You are working full-time but still unable to afford to leave your parents’ home, and you feel like something has gone very wrong. For the far too many young people in this situation, the economy stops being an academic argument about global prosperity. Economic questions become practical and deeply existential questions about what you can afford and what you cannot.)
NEW YORK POST
— More than half of New York voters ‘concerned’ about rise of socialism. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://nypost.com/2026/10/05/us-news/more-than-half-of-new-york-voters-concerned-about-rise-of-socialism-poll/
— Even Biden DOJ officials called memo targeting parents as potential domestic terrorists ‘ridiculous.’
https://nypost.com/2026/10/05/us-news/even-biden-doj-attorneys-griped-about-ridiculous-school-board-memo-new-report-shows/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Wokeism’s War on Sanity. A society that forfeits reality forfeits its future.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/10/wokeism-s-war-on-sanity/
FOX BUSINESS
— Democrats are ‘not going to stop’ the socialist invasion. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6406329053112
FOX NEWS
— Socialists have no concept of economics. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6406330910112
NEW AMERICAN
— Republican Socialists of America. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://thenewamerican.com/us/politics/republican-socialists-of-america/
NEWSMAX
— Democrat Socialist Pitches ‘Trans Bill of Rights.’ DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/claire-valdez-darializa-avila-chevalier-nyc/2026/10/05/id/1271765/
TOWNHALL
— Here’s How Much Socialism Would Cost Your Family Each Year, and How Much It Already Does. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://townhall.com/news/dmitri-bolt/2026/10/05/heres-how-much-socialism-would-cost-your-family-each-year-n2684130
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DD: Ever-increasingly, the mainstream news media exists to defeat Republican candidates.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/us/politics/trump-rallies-midterms-rituals.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/opinion/trump-conservatism-maga.html
USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DD: Ever-increasingly, the mainstream news media exists to defeat Republican candidates.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/10/05/trump-midterms-unprecedented-efforts-to-boost-gop/92028724007/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Fraud of White Guilt. DD: To get more votes from non-Whites, Democrat leaders shout at non-Whites that Republicans cause all the problems that non-Whites have.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-fraud-of-white-guilt-2baa634b
— U.K. Prime Minister Burnham Pitches an Unapologetically Socialist Makeover. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.wsj.com/world/uk/u-k-prime-minister-burnham-pitches-an-unapologetically-socialist-makeover-2ad7f602
PBS
— Democrats hold midterm lead with independents breaking sharply against Trump. DD: To discourage me from seeking votes for Republican candidates from Independent voters in my precinct, my critics/opponents stress that according to polls, 54% of independents say their vote will be mostly to express their opposition to Trump. I stress the 46% of Independent voters who do not say that.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-lead-in-new-poll-as-trump-looms-over-midterms
HARVARD CRIMSON
— When Conservative Scholarship Belongs at Harvard.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/10/6/editorial-harvard-conservative-scholar-hiring/
AMERICAN BAZAAR
— Raja Krishnamoorthi condemns anti-Indian bigotry. DD: To get more votes from non-Whites, Democrat leaders shout at non-Whites that Republicans cause all the problems that non-Whites have.
https://americanbazaaronline.com/2026/10/05/raja-krishnamoorthi-anti-indian-bigotry-midterms-489416/
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
NEWS24
— ‘Free stuff’: Democrat Party using socialism to win over voters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IstLP1REd7w
— ‘Radicalized lunatics’: Trump tears into America ‘hating’ socialists.
https://www.news24.com.au/world/united-states/radicalised-lunatics-trump-tears-into-america-hating-socialists/video/88f3fe4058f8e6694567e0866517fb87
