Metro East Sun

Illinois Republican Chairman Don Tracy has been traveling the state speaking with Republicans and was recently in the Metro East. 

He recognized Madison and St. Clair counties as relevant parts of Illinois.

“Last night I had the pleasure of hosting an ILGOP Fundraiser in Southern Illinois in the Metro East community of O’Fallon,” Tracy said in his weekly memo. “It often gets lost in the discussion about distinct regions in the state, but the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri in Madison and St. Clair counties (and surrounding counties) form the second largest metropolitan area outside of the Chicagoland – boasting nearly 800,000 people and forming a very important transportation and manufacturing hub in the middle of America.” 

Tracy thanked Barb Viviano and Becky McGracy, "two awesome Republican leaders – for helping us put the event together as well as State Rep. Charlie Meier and State Sen. Jil Tracy for attending and sponsoring." He also thanked "local conservative radio rock star Annie Frey for headlining the event!” Apart from acknowledging the support extended to him, he has likewise recognized Metro East's possibility to become a Republican-leaning area.

“The Metro East is also home to tremendous opportunities to flip seats in both the state House and Senate. As the rest of Southern Illinois has turned ruby red in recent years, the Metro East may be following along and providing great results for Republicans locally and help to Republicans statewide,” he said.  

The Metro East just saw a brouhaha in the local GOP when Illinois Republican Party communications director Joe Hackler challenged and lost to an up-and-coming candidate, Metro East Sun reported.

GOP House District 112 candidate Jennifer Korte of Edwardsville, who beat Hackler in the June 28 primary, was backed as a reformist conservative whereas Hackler was backed by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and establishment Chicago Republicans, according to Madison - St. Clair Record.

In late June, Tracy authored a weekly memo celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Prairie State Wire reported.