Lincoln Day Dinner includes local candidates on the Republican primary ticket
Lincoln Mayoral and Aldermanic candidates among the guest speakers

 

[February 10, 2025] 

On Thursday, February 6th, the Logan County Republican Central Committee held a dinner at the American Legion Post #263. This dinner, called the Lincoln Day Dinner, saw the gathering of many notable Republicans, some from Logan County and some from the wider area. This included people like all three Republican mayoral candidates, Mayor Tracy Welch, former mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman, and Craig Eimer. Many Logan County Board members were in attendance, including Chairman JR Glenn, Lance Conahan, Kathy Schmidt, Michael DeRoss, Gil Turner, Keenan Leesman, and Joseph Kuhlman. City Clerk Peggy Bateman and her husband, Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Bateman, were in attendance. Senator Sally Turner came as well. Aaron Del Mar and attorney Tom DeVore were present too. While many others were also present, there are too many to recount here.

The doors opened at 5:30 pm and several people made their way inside. People made their way around, talking to others, some new and some familiar faces. The conversation gradually grew in volume as the number of people present began to grow. As people entered, they were encouraged to buy raffle tickets for items such as a quilt and a firearm.

Once 6:30 pm rolled around, Theo Graff, the organizer of the event, called up Schmidt and Gil Turner to do the Pledge of Allegiance and say a prayer over the food respectively. The food was catered by Flossie and Delzena’s and consisted of chicken and pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, and a salad.

Sponsor tables were dismissed first, followed by the rest of the tables. The line stretched across the room with people patiently waiting for their food. The conversation and general jovial atmosphere continued as people made their way through the line and began to eat.

A bit after 7:30 pm, once everyone had made it through the line and had a chance to eat, Graff got up to the front of the room to get the program started and introduced the first speaker, Representative Mary Miller. Miller was unable to attend, and so Susan Petty spoke on Miller’s behalf. Petty echoed Miller’s feelings of excitement for Donald Trump being back in the White House. Petty also shared that Miller is excited to be on several new committees, such as education and ag.

The next person to speak was Sally Turner. Turner was a bit under the weather but still got up to make a short speech. She thanked those that put on the Lincoln Day dinner, calling it “one of the best Lincoln Day dinners I’ve seen.” She then shared that the Illinois Congress is currently in session, and the Republican party is in the super minority. She also shared some of the committees that she is on this year, including city government. She kept her speech short, seeing how she was not feeling well.

The next speaker was supposed to be William Hauter, but he was unable to make it. In his stead, Diane Jordan, someone who works in Hauter’s Morton office, took to the podium to speak. She read a letter Hauter wrote for the event. He apologized for not being able to be present, stating there was a scheduling conflict. Hauter stated that he likes the title representative, sharing that “I love acting and speaking on behalf of conservative views and values of the people of Logan County.” He also shared that he does not like what he sees going on in Springfield, blaming the super majority there for high property taxes, indoctrination in schools, and anti-small business policies. He also stated, “I truly relish the opportunity to raise my voice every day against liberal elites and woke leftists that are currently running our once great state into the ground.” Hauter also shared that his knowledge on healthcare has been able to help guide him in his views on bills relating to healthcare.

The next speaker was supposed to be Lisa Holder White, but she was also sick and unable to be present.

The next speaker was the first guest speaker of the night, Kathy Salvi, the state Republican Party chair. Salvi took her time at the microphone to talk about growing the Republican Party and making it more tight knit. She stated that when one member of the party stumbles, they all stumble. She took a moment to highlight the $1.1 billion that was raised during Trump’s campaign, sharing that it was due to the donations of all republicans to get to that amount. Salvi then talked about getting more republican votes. She stated that it does not matter if they have the best candidates if they do not have the people behind them. She then shared that in 2024, the republican party was able to close the gap in the state of Illinois, getting more republicans to vote that year than in the previous two presidential elections. “We’re not deep blue anymore,” Salvi said, “we’re a little purplish.” Salvi then called on the people of Logan County to get potential republican voters registered.

The next guest speaker was Aaron Del Mar, the State Central Committeeman Del Mar’s speech was filled with stories and jokes that made his audience laugh. The jokes and stories were aimed at making his speech more lighthearted, an idea that was the core of his political philosophy. Some of Del Mar’s jokes and stories were quite blunt, showing that he does not worry about what others think of him. This disposition has put him in the line of fire for many people who do not share his demeanor. Del Mar told the audience that he has been called racist and transphobic for some of his political beliefs.

Del Mar then talked about fear. He shared that he became a father when he was young. The fear that he felt during this time kept him from doing the things that he loved to do. Through the challenges he faced raising his son, he learned a lot of lessons.

Del Mar then began to talk about wanting to make politics fun. “We need to make the GOP fun again,” he said. “When you come out to events like this, and then you have 95 speakers, you get, like, automatic narcolepsy.” He stated that if you are having fun, more people are going to want to come to these types of events. That, Del Mar stated, is what is going to help grow the Republican party. He then talked about how being a Republican in Illinois is not fun. “Until you’ve gone through a thousand doors and have them slammed in your face, you’re not going to understand what I’m talking about.” Del Mar shared that you have to become comfortable being uncomfortable.

The next three speakers were the three Republican candidates who are currently seeking the office of Mayor of Lincoln. The first of these was current mayor Tracy Welch. Welch took his time to talk about some of the ways in which he serves the Lincoln community. He also shared the tough things he has gone through in his term, such as COVID, the losses of Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian Universities, and the potential loss of Logan Correctional Center. He juxtaposed those negatives with several positives, such as bringing many small businesses to town, making upgrades to the city’s infrastructure, and general quality of life improvements. “We have also seen our general fund grow to an all-time high,” Welch said, “protecting our city from unforeseen financial impact.” Welch then shared some of the things that he wants to do if he gets a second term. He started by saying that he is working on “the rebuilding of fractured relationships with the county.” He also shared that Alderman O’Donoghue and Alderman Sanders are working on a long-term strategic plan to bring forth to the City Council. Welch then claimed that some of his opponents may be seeking the office of mayor to “settle old scores or seek vengeance for perceived wrongdoings.” Welch ended by sharing that he has the endorsement of many community leaders, such as Senator Turner and Representative Hauter, Chuck Conzo, Bill Gossett, and others.

Craig Eimer was the next speaker, sharing why the people of Lincoln should vote for him for mayor. Eimer shared that he has been an Alderman for two years and is looking for another challenge. He also shared that he worked for over two decades for the city. “I think I offer some unique perspectives of what I can do,” Eimer said. Eimer also stated that he can do good things for Lincoln’s sidewalks, alleyways, and streets.

The next speaker was Beth Davis-Kavelman. Davis-Kavelman was previously mayor of Lincoln for eight years. Davis-Kavelman focused on the need to bring ethics back to Lincoln’s government. “We have some things that need to be corrected and have got to get the ethics back.” She then shared the need for checks and balances in the Lincoln government.

Dennis Clemens then took to the podium. Clemens is running against Wanda Lee Rohlfs for Alderman of Ward 3. Clemens stated that he would like to bring forward some fresh ideas and asked for everyone’s vote.

Rohlfs was next to speak. Rohlfs spoke a bit on who she is, sharing that she is a retired teacher and guidance counselor at Lincoln Community High School. Rohlfs then read two letters that she had received from community members. One of the letters stated that Rohlfs was thoughtful, punctual, and prepared. The letter also stated that she is well connected in the community and listens to her constituents. The second letter stated that Rohlfs conducts extensive research and provides context for many of the things going on in Lincoln’s government.

Rhonda O’Donoghue was supposed to speak next, but she was unable to be in attendance. In her place was Joe Ryan, reading a letter from O’Donoghue. O’Donoghue is running for re-election as Ward 4 Alderwoman. She stated that it has been an honor serving her community, and she wants to continue doing so. O’Donoghue also spoke on the strategic plan mentioned earlier by Mayor Welch. She stated that the idea is to have a one, five, and ten year plan to address things like infrastructure and staffing in departments. She also shared that she was able to take some of the tax money from cannabis sales and work with Officer Christy Fruge of the Lincoln Police Department to help fund the D.A.R.E. program.

Verl Prather was the next person to speak, running against O’Donoghue. Prather shared that he is a retired Lieutenant from corrections. Prather served as Alderman in a couple of different wards for many years. He also served as chair for many different committees during that time. He wants to be Alderman to help make Lincoln a better place for his kids and grandkids. Prather also shared that he was able to serve under three different mayors with three different styles of leadership.

The last speaker of the night was Steve Parrott. He was given the option to speak, as he is running unopposed for Ward 1. Parrott shared that he moved to Lincoln with his wife in 1995. He spoke on seeing many of the things that they say go on in the community, and how that attracted them here rather than living in a larger community, like Bloomington-Normal. He then talked about the change that he and his wife have seen in the thirty years they have lived here. Parrott stated that Lincoln has lost both population and businesses. “We had a population of about 15,600 or so in 1995. Now, currently, under 13,000.” Parrott continued, stating “I want to help make Lincoln… a place where a young couple would want to move here and invest in the community and to raise a family.”

Graff then came up to the mic one last time to conclude the night’s event.

[Matt Boutcher]