Aaron Del Mar (Journal file photo)
Aaron Del Mar wears several hats — Palatine Township Republican committeeman, Illinois Republican Party co-chairman, and Palatine Township highway commissioner. In his run for reelection as highway commissioner, it was learned this week that Del Mar will run on a slate that includes one Democrat, one independent, and six Republicans in the April 1, 2025 election.
“As the Republican committeeman for Palatine Township, I am proud to announce our strategic decision to run a blended, nonpartisan slate in the upcoming township elections,” Del Mar said. “This slate includes not only dedicated Republicans, but also a Democrat and an independent. Our aim is simple yet profound: to ensure continued effective local governance for all residents of Palatine Township while maintaining our 6-2 Republican supermajority in Cook County, a traditionally Democratic stronghold.”
Prominent Illinois Republicans, specifically former gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives, are upset with Del Mar for running on a slate that is not all-Republican.
All but two of the incumbent Republican Palatine Township officers are running for reelection as part of the Palatine Township United Slate. Those two are Clerk Lisa Moran and Trustee Leslie Bolanos. Moran is moving out of state, Del Mar said, and Bolanos is not running for reelection to focus on her business. Township Trustee Christine Svenson is running on the slate for clerk.
The slate includes incumbent Republicans Del Mar, Supervisor Andy-John Kalkounos, Assessor Bill Pohlman, Trustee Michael Smolka, and John Freese.
Joining the slate running for trustee seats are James Sloan, who Del Mar called an independent who has pulled Democratic primary ballots in the past, and Democratic candidate Natalie Sahinoglu. Del Mar said Kalkounos put together the slate.
Earlier this month, Palatine Township Democratic Committeeperson Maria Galo hosted an event collecting signatures for Sloan and Sahinoglu to run as part of the Palatine Township United Slate.
“We have a chance to get two Palatine Democrats on the township board,” Galo said in a post on the Palatine Township Democrats website. “Natalie Sahinoglu and James Sloan are running on a bi-partisan slate for Palatine Township Board. If this slate gets enough signatures, they will be the only candidates on the April 1, 2025 ballot for Palatine Township Board, and they will be voting members of the board.”
Some members of the GOP are not happy about Del Mar running with and endorsing a slate that is not filled with GOP candidates.
“I’m calling on Aaron Del Mar to resign from all Republican leadership positions. Republican leaders do not recruit and run with Democrats on a bi-partisan slate,” Ives said in a written statement. “Republicans just showed gains in Illinois with Trump policies on the ballot. We need to expand on that momentum, not work to elect Democrats under the control of Pritzker who both vilifies Republicans and opposes common sense policies.”
Del Mar’s statement in response to Ives said, “Unfortunately, this strategy has faced criticism from some extreme factions within our own party. These individuals prioritize ideological rigidity and personal interests over the broader goal of winning elections and ensuring Republican leadership and representation in Illinois. Such divisiveness undermines the collaborative spirit necessary to succeed in a challenging political environment like Cook County.”
“Let me be clear,” Del Mar continued, “this approach is not a compromise of values but a reaffirmation of our commitment to pragmatic leadership. Our slate reflects the realities of our diverse township and the necessity of building coalitions to achieve meaningful progress. I remain steadfast in my belief that this strategy is the best path forward, not only for Republicans but for the people of Palatine Township.”
He concluded, “To those who have supported this vision, I extend my gratitude. Together, we can demonstrate that bipartisanship is not a weakness but a strength — one that serves the best interests of our residents and strengthens our Republican leadership in Illinois. I invite all members of our community to join us in this effort to preserve and enhance the quality of governance in Palatine Township.”
Del Mar said following Ives issuing her statement, he received a death threat by email which was also directed at his family. That death threat is being investigated by law enforcement.
After Donald Trump’s recent victory in the presidential election, “Democrats are inflamed and they are looking for scalps,” said Del Mar. He said Democrats would be energized to take seats away from Republican incumbents — even at the township level — after the loss in the presidential race.
He said the demographics of Palatine Township and in the Northwest suburbs generally are turning increasingly “blue” and reflect recent gains at the township level during recent elections in nearby Northfield, Maine and Wheeling townships.
The election of township officers are generally partisan with slates of Republican and Democratic candidates. Those slates are typically chosen either at party caucuses, held on Dec. 3, or at the local primary election. Del Mar said there is a third way to run.
As a new political party, the Palatine Township United Slate does not have to run a primary in their first election. The deadline for parties to file to run in the township election was Friday, Nov. 22.
The post Del Mar Running For Reelection As Highway Commissioner On ‘Blended’ Slate first appeared on Journal & Topics Media Group.
