Here’s what a source tells me:
Apparently he [18th District Congressional candidate Aaron Schock] got the boot from his campaign office at GOP HQ. I heard there was a big scuffle this weekend over his campaign workers/volunteers using other elected officials/organizations equipment and supplies for his congressional race.
My earlier post about this subject is here. I have phone messages out. Will try to update later in the day.
UPDATE: From a source, some parts deleted:
The persons who contributed to this decision are: MaryAlice Erikson Vice-Chairman (woman) of the state party and 18th congressional committeeman(woman) and Sen. [Dale] Risinger (there are likely others as well who I am not aware of) who apparently got very upset with Schock’s volunteers/staffers using his working space etc… Which is ironic because I believe Shearer at one time worked for a Risinger campaign. Risinger’s whole deal is he doesn’t want to be or come across as a professional politician its really about helping people for him so to be taken advantage of by the Schock campaign was a really bad move. I don’t have any knowledge as to whether LaHood had a hand in it, but my pure speculation would be that he did, he does not want that campaign to succeed. He is seriously upset with Aaron going behind his back to court the county chairmen after LaHood personally called them to ask for them to stay impartial until they knew who the candidates were [redacted]. There has also been some people who are very afraid of the Rasputin like control Shearer has over Schock and Shearer’s questionable background. He used to proudly gloat he was a lobbyist for one of Saudi Arabia’s crowned princes. If you look at Schock’s campaign disclosure and Weller’s you will also find Shearer gets paid by each of them at a different address (As recently as July). These are just some of the issues involved.
As for where his office is going I dont know, he supposedly was going to move into Junction City but the space available did not have air conditioning. Schock was in the GOP offices originally because he was a sitting office holder at the state level so there was no conflict until now. Something that would be interesting to check would be how long Shearer stays on the state campaign payroll, technically the moment Schock intended to run he no longer had a state operation.
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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Billy,
Yes?
Sorry, about that. As a member of the Central Committee for more than a decade or so, I was schocked (no pun intended) to hear for the first time about the rift on your blog. Unfortunately, no Republican had talked to me about their concerns before articulating them to you and your readers. I am asking the County Chair to have a meeting of the entire central committee, meaning all of the precinct committeeman, and any other GOP in good standing (which pretty much means everybody except an obvious Dem.) to come to a special meeting to discuss things relative to your posts. When we moved out of the Lahood offices several years ago on Knoxville, the primary reason I recall was a lack of space. We (the county party) had a small cramped room with a pseudo-seperate entrance from Ray’s office. In order to conduct meetings, we had to borrow the key fro Ray’s staff to have access to an open space big enough to accomodate the 15 or so members of the central committee executive space. If we needed to do a mailing, again we had to borrow the key from Ray. Appropriately so, they began to balk at the number of people coming into and out of their no-longer-secure campaign space.
When we moved out to the new space, it was agreed that the two incumbant legislators we provide assistance to the county party through the rental of the space. Dale has been incredibly supportive of the county party in this way and local candidates have enjoyed the benefits of having a place to do mailings, phone calls, print labels and walk lists etc. Dave has likewise been supportive, although admittedly he maintains his primary campaign efforts elsewhere as he has done since being elected I think.
When Aaron decided to run, it was one of the primary benefits we could provide to him as a party, a conducive place to do campaign work. He has picked up his share of the legislative load financially and has made some wonderful improvements, specifically a color TV which is widely used both for keeping track of information but also as a way to wile away the tedious hours of folding, licking, stamping, stuffing etc.
Even when we’ve had primaries, which has been rare, each side has been free to use the common space, copy machine and computer, even the bulk mail permit. I think specifically of Johnna Ingersol four years ago, (which occured without complaint or incident) and I know that at least some of the city council candidates have used the site occassionaly.
Let me say for the record, that after a decade-plus trying to build a stronger party, trying to get the legislators to work in concert to the benefit of local candidates, I find this all very disheartening. I hope we do not return to the bad old days where every elected official had their own thing going and no one came together for the common good. e.g. if someone were to challenge Dale Risinger in a primary, would we say that he had to move out (or the county party would have to) to avoid a conflict appearance? One of the folks who has supported local candidates through support of this facility for more than 4 years gets treated the same as someone who potentially had never walked a precinct for another Republican? Well if thats the test of conflict of interest purity, I guess I would fail.
Next, if Aaron has done something illegal per the FEC, then file the charge, otherwise, the accucastion is scurrilous. I will ask the Chair to look into this issue as well (as least as far as the collocation issue is concerned, if he used state resources for his federal campaign e.g. balloons and candy bars, I’m sure that will come out). I hope that you will provide equal treatment if and when it comes out that Aaron did buy his stuff with “federal” money. That would be the responsible thing to do.
Finally, Who are these GOP power brokers lining up to propel Aaron against the will of the many? I’ve heard from no one urging me to back Aaron, save Aaron himself (just like I’ve heard from John and Jim). Has our most powerful politician Ray Lahood put out the bite for Aaron? No, he was willing to fight for his son’s nomination. Has Mary Alice Erickson, the state central committeeman made efforts for Aaron? When Ray contemplated a run for Governor two years ago, she was privately if not publicly supporting Jim McConaghy. Has Leitch or Risinger or Ardis or any high ranking GOP elected official launched a crusade for Aaron. No, all are letting the primary process work its way through. Sadly perhaps, the endorsment of the county chairman from menard county (appologies if he/she is not one of them) do not amount to alot of votes. So who are these mysterious GOP powerbrokers of which you speak and when can I get them to come to the central committee meeting so that we can get some republicans elected. I’ve got a yard sign location and precinct walk list with their name on it.
Finally, no one, not even the House Republican Caucus contribued “Millions” to Aaron. Per the state web site, Tom Cross’ organization transferred roughly a third of the 3/4 of a million raised by Aaron in the run up to his last compaign to “hold onto” the seat. Ray Lahood contribued $15,000 and Leitch contributed $11,000. Add in 4 or 5 contributions over a $1,000 in total, the number of miffed Republicans over their squandered investment seems pretty small. So unless you’ve talked to Tom, Ray or Dave, I’m finding your assertion that “Republicans are miffed” to be less than credible. If you are correct, then I’d expect his fundraising numbers (and votes) to be miserable as Republicans express their disappoint with him. Time will tell.
Again sorry for the long post and when/if (since I don’t get to decide these things unilaterally) we have a central committeeman I’ll let you know for the sake of your GOP sources to be able to attend.
Matt is clearly at a loss for words…
sorry, I thought I sent a post which didn’t go through. I’ll shorten my previous lengthy post for the second time around.
First, I’m going to ask the Chairman to have a special meeting or at least to open up the meeting to discuss the issue of office collocation. It has important precedential impacts, e.g. what if Dale Risinger or Dave Leitch gets a primary opponent, are we going to ask them to move out?
Second, being on the central committee at the time, the primary reason we moved out was space. The Lahood campaign had access to a common area big enough for meetings and phone banking and mailings etc. and we had to schedule to be able to use it and borrow the key. They had security concerns, appropriately so, and so moving made the most sense. Then our effort was to build some party unity which the new office, underwritten by Dave and Dale initially, and eventually by Aaron once he was elected. It worked well and the space has been very helpful for our county and other local candidates e.g. johnna Ingersol.
Third, I did a quick look at campagin disclosures and other than Tom Cross who kicked in about a third of the 3/4 million dollars in the last election cycle, Ray who contributed $15k and David who contributed $11k, there were only a few others who contribute to both republicans and democrats who contributed more than $1,000. If its Tom, Ray or Dave as your source, then they have legitimate gripes about funding the house race, otherwise I’m not sure who these GOP “miffees” who contributed millions are but I’d like to meet them. (We have a golf outing on Monday). If the miffees represent significant numbers, than I expect Aaron’s fundraising numbers and vote totals to reflect it, we’ll see.
Once I’ve got the date and time of the central committee meeting, I’ll let you know so that we can have a healthy discussion. FEC issues aside, cause that will get sorted out I hope, I think we need to discuss this appearance of impropriety issue. e.g. if someone were to run against Dale Risinger or Dave Leitch, both of whom financially support the county HQ (at least until recently I know they both did), would we kick them out of the office or be forced to move ourselves. I will make sure John gets a personal invite based on this posting because if the standard is set this high, we need to seriously readjust how we view mutual support amongst the county party and our elected officials. Thanks
Rob, it takes alot to cause a loss of words, although I expect to reach that threshold sometime this next legislative session.
MJ
Matt,
will look for you at the golf outing..I assume it is the charity event….
Paul
Matt: As longish posts are wont to do, it got caught in my spem filter. I just approved them, and they now aer posted. Thanks for the information.
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Lest anyone be confused by the fanciful allegations in this post and the post three days ago on the Schock campaign, let’s make a few central points clear.
Wild allegations with absolutely no basis in fact have been fed to Mr. Dennis and he ran with them (without attempting to contact the Schock campaign to verify their validity) and commenters furthered the allegations. The information was designed to get people to jump to conclusions. Re-read the posts—no proof is offered for ANY of the wild charges made in desperation to see if they can get something to stick to a candidate that is their envy.
What is behind this scandal manufacturing is a massive case of sour grapes on several fronts from supporters of candidates Aaron Schock has bested fairly and squarely. For instance, Bill Dennis has admirably and fully disclosed that he is a good friend of Bill Spears.
Time will show the rumor mongers with egg on their face for jumping to conclusions.
The facts will prove the Schock campaign is in full compliance with all laws. Time will also show that at least one of Schock’s opponents is not. People in glass houses ought not throw stones goes the saying. All critics mentioned ought to take a good look in the mirror before casting stones.
This post will be long enough so here are few key points that are the tip of iceberg in exposing the baseless charges made by Schock critics:
Not a dime of Schock’s state campaign fund has been touched since Congressman LaHood made his announcement not to seek re-election.
Every single expense from the phone bill to candy bars and balloons for parades, etc. has been paid for by Schock’s federal campaign for Congress. In time, when campaign finance disclosures are made, people will see that payments were made by the Schock campaign for Congress for every expense from the very beginning of this campaign. One jealous speculator stated in a previous post that he “just knew†Schock was paying for parade expenses with state campaign funds. To repeat—time will tell that is absolutely wrong. That critic was really just jealous that Schock had 10 times the volunteers of both opponents combined in that parade in Morton. The Schock volunteer parade contingent towered over both of his opponent’s ability to generate volunteers and excitement.
For the truly politically curious, when one entity (say a Schock campaign for state representative) ends its phone service, a new entity (say a Schock campaign for Congress) can keep the phone number and have a new account set up with the campaign for Congress paying the bill. So all that gotcha—proving that the same phone number is in use—is meaningless. In this case, critics never bothered to ask what the facts are before assuming what they wanted and flailing about with speculative charges.
From the outset, the Schock for Congress campaign has had on retainer the best federal campaign attorney in Washington, DC to guide absolute compliance with the law. This attorney is also the legal counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Illinois State Republican Party.
Last week many of the charges were made in an absolute manner and certain of violations on the part of the Schock campaign. Now, realizing they are not sure of the facts, the charges are more nuanced and say, ok, even if everything is legal, it isn’t right. Their complaints have nothing to do with the law, but are simply whining with envy.
All of this is a diversion from the real issues of the campaign by opponents and critics who cannot surpass Aaron Schock in appeal, hard work, accomplishments, action on behalf of conservative principles, substance, experience, legislative ability, number of volunteers, fundraising capability, or ability to win the general election.
Aaron Schock worked hard to raise funds for his two previous races. Three-quarters of what was raised for the last cycle was raised by Schock and his campaign and not bestowed by state party leaders. State party leaders in both parties endow their targeted candidates for the state House and Senate with up to 95% of their total funds, but they then control the campaigns. That happened with Bill Spears last time. Not so with Schock. Because the Schock campaign raised the vast majority of its funds locally and on its own, the campaign had the highest degree of independence in the state and it ran the most positive, fully-contested election in the state.
Aaron Schock is cooperative and respectful of party leaders but is a tool of no one. He is smart enough to make himself beholden to only his principles. He alone has designed a campaign operation that has given him unprecedented independence. He is most certainly grateful to all who supported him and he has proved that by doing a truly outstanding job in the position they supported him for, but he is not about to be told what legal rights he can and cannot exercise. He has also given back to the Republican Party by recruiting and supporting a large number of new Republican candidates. Neither of Schock’s opponents in this race comes close to having inspired and helped other Republican candidates run and win like Schock has.
For those who say he is giving over his state house seat to the Democrats, stay tuned for a big surprise.
Aaron Schock has got where he is by hard work and out strategizing his opponents. Just like his write-in campaign for school board, Schock does not have the powers-that-be supporting him…but the people will again. Watch, wait and learn.
Maybe Schock should FINISH A TERM before he tries for another????
Is John Morris a conservative?
As a new resident to Peoria, and a democrat, and as I told Aaron Schock in an email, I would have been proud to vote for him as State Rep, but I will never vote for him for Congress. Seeing him on WEEK this week, I am even more sure I could never vote for him. In Springfield, it seemed that he voted his conscience. He’s already cowtowing to the Republicans in Congress that have destroyed this country. He can stay in Springfield, or spend his time in Peoria, but I hope he never makes it to Washington.
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