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* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Republican Campaign Staffer goes to Jayme Odom…
After the 2018 elections, Rauner’s operation essentially left HRO in shambles along with the whole ILGOP. 2020 was looking worse for Republicans than 2018 and Democrats had major advantages in money and resources. Against these great odds, Jayme came in and completely rebuilt HRO from the ground up. Her tireless work to recruit and vet staff and candidates, raise money, keep candidates on point and message, and going the extra mile even with the pandemic allow for her results to speak for themselves.
Jayme worked hard and gave the leadership HRO needed to outperform expectations.
Her leadership and work is not only a big reason why House Republicans saw a small net gain of seats instead of a net loss, but also a reason why Leader Durkin was able to hold onto his leadership post.
There isn’t a House GOP campaign person more deserving than Jayme.
She’s gonna hate me for not giving it to one of her staff members, but she totally deserves this award.
Runner-up goes to Kyle Haevers.
* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Senate Republican Campaign Staffer goes to Brent Ellis for this outstanding nomination alone…
He entered a thorny situation but was able to find common ground, build relationships, and put up shining GOTV numbers as the only staffer assigned. He was basically handed a wrench and told to build a race car out of an oil stain. He ran a heck of a machine in brutal circumstances, and that is something to crow about.
Heh. Loved that.
Runner-up is Jon Wygant.
* On to today’s categories…
* Best House Democratic Non-Campaign Staffer
* Best House Republican Non-Campaign Staffer
Do your best to nominate in both categories and make sure to explain your votes or they will not count. And, as should be clear by one of the above awards, sometimes a great nomination can win the whole day. Thanks!
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 1:48 pm
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=She’s gonna hate me for not giving it to one of her staff members=
Which says a lot and is likely one of the reasons she deserves the award.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:05 pm
House Dem: Margaret Livingston is rockstar lawyer who does all of the work and gets little of the glory because, like all good staffers, she makes the members look good.
House Rep: Jennifer Paswater is the best thing to happen to the House Republican Caucus since the “Because Madigan” campaign. She is a brilliant, tenacious lawyer that gives her all to caucus members.
Comment by southsider Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:06 pm
Jayme Odum is a saint, hard working, honest, and a whole list of superlatives too long to list. I admire her ability to encourage candidates, and also cut to the point when needed. Much deserved award for her. She’s great.
Comment by Jayme Odum Fan Club President Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:06 pm
House Dems - Chris Lowery. He keeps the show moving when up on the podium, and makes sure all members are heard. He’s also really nice and a sincere person. It must be the downstate in him even if he is a poor man Brandon Phelp’s.
House Republicans - Nathan Mansfield. Manny is the best! Always willing to listen to your side when putting together his analysis, and always makes sure to say hello. He also has great taste in music.
Comment by Les Nesman Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:16 pm
House Dems- James Hartmann. Been on staff for a number of years now and always helpful and ready to jump in to whatever is needed.
House GOP- Jen Paswater, truly just a nice and knowledgable person. She is a calm and even voice of reason.
Comment by Grogu Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:51 pm
HGOP - Eleni Demertzis.
Eleni has put on countless virtual press conferences since the spring, making sure her (sane) caucus members are always in the news.
HDem - Chris Lowery.
Chris always keeps the House chamber moving, but in May he did it in a mask in a cavernous convention center, with a *long* extra session day to boot.
Comment by new kid on the block Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 2:53 pm
House Dems—Erik “with a K” Lowder. So many folks work tirelessly without admiration or recognition. These folks pale in comparison to the behind-the-scenes work and effort put in by Lowder. The man works harder than anyone, without complaint, and always with a deep sense of humility and kindness. This game we all play in will grind you down, make you cynical. Even though he has been there for a long time, Lowder seems to enjoy what he does every day of the week. Those who know, know.
If I have to give an honorable mention—Maggie Livingston. She has been behind some of the most monumental bills over the last couple years and showed strength and patience in her assistance with the Special Committee. She is a rock and it consistently shows in the tasks she is assigned.
House GOP—Jen Passwater, I mean, come on. There are some great people on both sides of the aisle, but she deals with some interesting folks and busts her butt, is great to work with and is one of the best people in this game. I often do not deal in absolutes, but come on, no brained.
Comment by Barry Zuckerkorn Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 3:16 pm
House Dems: Kat Bray. Kat is new to staff this year, but you wouldn’t know it by the way she handles herself. She has a brilliant legal mind, works tirelessly to get things exactly right, and is never “too busy” to help her fellow staffers.
House GOP: Jen Paswater. Jen is well-liked and highly regarded by staff/members on both sides of the aisle.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 3:37 pm
House Democrats - No doubt in my mind Erik Lowder deserves this award. He is an incredible staffer with the reputation to go along with it. He is resourceful and knowledgeable. Not only does Lowder run the Public Safety sector for staff, he also is the JCAR staffer and Capitol staffer. He is a senior staffer who new staff turn to for advice and counsel. I echo the comments above wick sense of humor.
I’m sorry I’m not more in tune with the House Republicans to make a fair nomination.
Comment by Spectator Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 3:40 pm
House Dems - Chris Lowery. Chris keeps an otherwise raucous, chaotic, and sometimes distracted House moving efficiently and effectively all while doing it with a smile and, may I add, while wearing some dapper suits.
HGOP - Jenn Paswater. I simply don’t know how she juggles the workload and stress that she does while remaining as pleasant as she is. Incredible.
Close 2nd is CJ Baker. Consummate gentleman and very capable attorney.
Comment by ImJustHereForTheHorseshoes Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 3:40 pm
House Dems - I think a shoutout to the House Dem Research is incredibly overdue, specifically- Tyler Hunt, Erik Lowder, Madeline McCune, and Ryan Trevor. They worked endlessly in May with a short session and were able to not only pass a budget but coordinate members with other large pieces of legislation. They worked around the clock to make it happen.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 3:46 pm
House Dems: Chris Lowery, hands down. The guy handles the podium like a pro and keeps committees running smoothly, both of which are extremely difficult jobs that he makes look effortless.
House GOP: Dane Thull. He is a wealth of knowledge on education issues and is very responsive to Members and advocates alike.
Comment by Benton Blues Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 4:09 pm
House Democrats - No one deserves this award more than Erik Lowder. He is wicked smart and has a unmatched sense of humor. Lowder not only is the staffer for Public Safety but additionally takes on the responsibility of being the JCAR and Capitol staffer. He is efficient and has one of the best work ethics under the dome. He is a senior staffer, who new staff turn to for advice and counsel. I echo the comments above about his humility and kindness. He is essential to the House Dem operation.
Comment by Spectator Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 4:36 pm
House Dems – Mark Jarmer. If you worked with him at all during this past Spring you know how insanely hard he worked to craft a budget when the options were bad, bad and worse. On Zoom calls he looked like he was in a budget bunker where he spent days crunching numbers and combing through every line item. During the shortened session, he was the go-to guy for every House Democrat who needed answers to the millions of questions related to budget negotiations. And he’s a genuinely good guy to work with.
HGOP – Mike Mahoney. His selection in the Crain’s 40 under 40 list demonstrates exactly how he’s the kind of problem solver that we could use more of around the state house.
Comment by budgetzing Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 4:37 pm
House Democrats- Erik Lowder is more than deserving for this award. He is an expert in his subject areas which include Public Safety, Capital, and JCAR. He is someone new staff turn to for assistance and counsel on how the process works. Speaking of process, Lowder has a unmatched understanding of the political/non-political process. Not only is he phenomenal at his job but he’s incredibly kind and easy to work with. His door is always open and his sense of humor is enjoyed. Lowder does a lot work that goes unnoticed but his work holds up the staff in ways that aren’t explainable. He is irreplaceable.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 5:34 pm
House Dems - Madeline McCune
Madeline always has a positive attitude and is great with the members. She is an expert in her subject matter. She is always ready with an answer and if she doesn’t have it she will track it down and get back to you as soon as possible. She is a great team player and always makes sure to take new staff in under her wing.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 5:56 pm
Eleni Demertzis. Durkin has her and everyone else either wants her or wants to stay off her radar. Eleni works in the media the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It is her true medium, a master. She has worked for a Governor, a Senator, a Sheriff and now the Leader, they all were better with her than without, especially the Governor. Think for a second how hard it is for a Republican to get press in a blue state with a blue governor a (sadly) hollowed out news media and the largest market being all blue, then think about how much press Durkin and the caucus has gotten and how being outspent by a fortune the House Republican Caucus still picked up a seat and beat up the Speaker enough to survive and end him, then look to Eleni and be afraid. She will smash down all your plate glass windows and put her fist through your steel plated door. If it’s the boss or any member who wants or needs help, she will not stop until she thinks justice is served.
Comment by Hero's Gyros Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 7:32 pm
Another vote for Eleni, although it’s admittedly at least partly because I read Hero’s Gyros nomination and now I’m scared not to. But seriously, she’s a real pro and a major asset for Durkin.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 8:15 pm
House Dems - Erik Lowder. Erik is the quiet and competent backbone of the House Dems Research team. One of the most knowledgeable and insightful folks in the building, that’s only the beginning with Erik. He’s a “five-tool player”–able to handle drafting, committee, budget, floor debate, and any curveballs–with skill and grace. More importantly, he cares about the work, about the place, and about its people. He’s exactly what a public servant should be.
House GOP - Mike Mahoney. Always easy to work with, he’s competent, efficient, and there to get the job done.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 8:23 pm
Put me in the E Demertzis column. Smart , tough as nails and loyal . Opa!
Comment by Dinopolous Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 8:50 pm
House Dems - Ryan Trevor. Absolutely tireless worker who always has a great attitude. One of the most knowledgeable people you will ever meet.
Comment by Pop It Off Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 8:51 pm
House Republicans: Ryan Tozer. Going on almost 2 decades on House staff, Ryan is a nice guy who’s a team player willing to help when asked and helps to keep the communications team on its toes. Even with his years and position, he’s not afaird or entitled enough to think he’s above knocking on doors or helping with a campaign when asked. A rarity in and of itself.
House Dems: Chris Lowery. With the mountain high challenges this year presented, no one could had helped run the house better than Chris. But really, there’s credit due to every staffer who help kept things going this year.
Comment by The 6th Street Coffee Guy Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 10:06 pm
HDems - Erik Lowder. With a mountain of responsibility and pressure, he outperforms most (if not all) staffers work ethics. I echo the comments above Erik is quiet, yet extremely competent with a fun competitive edge. He has a humorous and kind personality.
HRep - Dane Thull. Dane has always been a steady and reliable staffer for the house Republicans. Smart and competent.
Comment by Here for the Horseshoe Tuesday, Dec 15, 20 @ 10:41 pm
Eleni Demertzis does zoom press conferences for every member that wants one even if it means she has to hold her daughter on her lap while she does it. She has been the central figure in the reformation of the Illinois House Republican Communication Staff over the last 13 months.
The House GOP picked up a seat this cycle and Durkin was unanimously re-elected…All after literally everyone thought all hope for the GOP was lost. She led the messaging effort to get Pritzker to open the economy and change his plan on regions. She leads weekly messaging demanding transparency and accountability from the Governor. See: IDES, IDVA, Madigan, and the SIC. Probably more to come if I had to guess. Clear winner.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 16, 20 @ 8:17 am