Lake County has to consider who will replace state Sen. Dan Duffy when he resigns from the 26th District seat April 3, and Lake County Republican Chairman Mike Amrozowicz recently told Lake County Gazette that Dan McConchie is the likely candidate for replacement, particularly after his Republican primary victory Tuesday.
“There are two different processes that happen when a state representative or state senator cannot finish their term - either through resignation or the unfortunate circumstance of death or incapacitation,” Amrozowicz said.
Amrozowicz said the first process covers situations where the Senate or House seat district is within the county boundaries. There is a legislative committee that is already in place and it is voted on every two years at the county convention. In addition to Amrozowicz, two others will vote on Duffy's replacement at the convention.
“There is a process of interviews and other things, paying deference to the committeemen within each of the townships where the district lies,” Amrozowicz said.
Amrozowicz explained further that the second process covers when the state district crosses county borders. In that instance, each county's chairman has a weighted vote for that appointment. In the 26th Senate District's case, 60 percent of it is in Lake County.
“For example, if somebody had passed away, we would be setting up all kinds of interviews and we would have a discussion and then we would come to a consensus on a candidate,” Amrozowicz said. “However, on this one, it is so simple; it is a no-brainer. Dan McConchie won the primary. The voters have spoken, so he should be the state senator until November.”
Since Duffy is stepping down April 3, the committee wants to get the replacement process going as soon as possible so the appointment coincides with Duffy's leaving. Different attorneys want to ensure the paperwork is correct so no one can contest it down the road; otherwise, Amrozowicz foresees no issues with McConchie’s appointment.
“Duffy supported McConchie from the beginning, and McConchie also got a lot of support from all of the township chairmen in Lake County, so there are no real obstacles for him to take over when Duffy steps down,” Amrozowicz said. “Plus, he is a great guy. I think the world of him. He is a good, honorable man.”
Since the people have made their decision about McConchie, Amrozowicz believes it is up to the county chairmen to add their support.
“In a case like this, I am not the king-maker or the dragon-slayer. I always defer to the will of the voters, especially good Republican voters who selected Dan McConchie as their candidate of choice, so they would obviously want him as their state senator going forward from the resignation date all the way to the general election,” he said. “I am not trying to oversimplify this; all the township chairmen in Lake County feel the same.”
In the meantime, McConchie told Lake County Gazette that he is hopeful for a smooth appointment and will respect the process until it is official.
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