Two vying to lead Maine Township GOP

Republican voters in Maine Township will choose the next leader of their party from between an experienced township leader and an attorney on a local library board.

As current GOP committeeman Rosemary Mulligan prepares to retire, Maine Township Supervisor Carol Teschky of Glenview and Char Foss-Eggemann, a Park Ridge attorney, are running to replace her.

Mulligan has been committeeman since 2010. Her replacement will be chosen in the March 18 primary.

Both candidates say they want to revitalize the local Republican party, which they say has suffered from a lack of strong leadership. Each believes she is the best person for the job.

Teschky says her experience in township government gives her the edge. She was a Maine Township trustee from 1989 until 2007, when she was appointed supervisor. She won re-election in 2009 and 2013.

"I see (the committeeman post) as an opportunity to expand my service," Teschky said. "I know this area well, I know the people who live in Maine Township. I think I'm in a unique position to give the local Republican party a shot in the arm."

Teschky said she would keep the local party "vibrant" through regular meetings, newsletters and other forms of communication. Strong party leadership will lead to Republican victories in the various local, state and federal elections decided by township voters, she said.

"A strong committeeman and strong party can help bring some balance to Springfield and field strong candidates for the 9th Congressional District," she said. "It's a vital job, and I'm ready to take it on."

Foss-Eggemann has been working on Republican campaigns since her college days, when she worked for the George H.W. Bush presidential campaign. She works in the private sector as corporate counsel for Lexis Nexis, and she holds a seat on the Park Ridge Public Library board.

Foss-Eggemann believes the Maine Township GOP needs the fresh perspective she can offer.

"At this point the party seems to be all but defunct, with poor leadership," she said. "A good committeeman will mean Republican election victories. I want to bring bold leadership back to the party."

Foss-Eggemann said her communication skills and her experience as a political organizer and fundraiser will make her uniquely qualified to recruit candidates, raise money and galvanize voters in Maine Township.

"I'll deliver the strong ground game that we need to get the township and the state back on track," she said. "I'm very concerned about Illinois' future. The time to make positive change is right now."