Illinois Republicans talk unity and Trump

Posted on August 18, 2016

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Republicans came to the Illinois State Fair to talk about party unity but instead faced a lot of questions about Donald Trump’s viability.

One question lingered over the Illinois Republicans’ first meeting of the day on Wednesday: How can the party be unified when Illinois’ Republican U.S. senator, Mark Kirk, and a handful of congressmen have distanced themselves from Trump?

Fayette County Republican Chairman Randy Pollard said that all voters see is Trump’s energy.

“I don’t know if he’s bringing out new voters,” Pollard said. “I just know it’s a lot.”

Pollard said he gets calls from county chairmen across the state who expressed their amazement at the grassroots support for Trump.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said the party is unified.

“I don’t know where this is all coming from,” Schneider said. “Donald Trump is our presidential ticket in the state of Illinois. He is doing well in a number of polls. We’re supportive of candidates up and down the ticket.”

Schneider said you’ll have to ask anti-Trump Republicans why they’re not backing the party’s nominee.

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