Facing a challenge after his first election as chair of the Lake County Republican Central Committee two years ago, Keith Brin was chosen to lead the local GOP once again before the balloting by the precinct committeepersons was disclosed.
Brin was elected chair of the central committee by acclamation Wednesday night at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago when his opponent, Ted Livengood, asked the committee members to elect Brin before the vote totals were announced.
“I feel good,” Brin said. “The party has seen some of the things we’re doing to get set for the election and rebuild the party, and bring voters to our vision. We can concentrate on that now that we’re done dealing with (electing) the chair.”
Brin also said he sees an important role for Livengood in the party’s effort to develop a plan to get as many like-minded individuals as possible to the polls for the Nov. 5 election. Livengood has a talent for working with voters, Brin said.
“Over the years, Ted has been very good at working with people at the grassroots level to elevate our ground game,” he said. “If we are going to succeed, we need Ted and everyone else to work hard for our candidates.”
Livengood said he first became a party activist in Lake County in 1998. He has long seen grassroots organizing as a key to getting to know voters, and developing the necessary connections to keep them interested in elections.
“When you talk to people, you build relationships,” Livengood said. “The Democrats have done a pretty good job of labeling us, and I believe we can regain some of the folks if we make a connection with them.”
With no Republican candidate in nine of the 24 contests for the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois legislative seats, three countywide positions and Lake County Board seats, Brin said the party has until June 3 to find candidates to put on the ballot.
“We would like to have a full slate of candidates so voters have a choice to make,” he said. “We want good candidates, not just a choice between political parties.”
While there are Democratic and Republican candidates for both Lake County state’s attorney and Lake County coroner, no GOP contender is running for Circuit Court clerk. Brin, who once held the office, said the party will find a candidate.
“I have no intention of running for Circuit Court clerk,” he said, while assuring there will be a Republican candidate.
Currently, no GOP contenders are running to represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House, the 31st Illinois State Senate District or the 51st, 57th, 60th or 62nd state House districts.
Lake County Republicans will also be looking to find candidates for Districts 8 and 9 on the Lake County Board.
