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Decision on Sandack's replacement still days away

A decision on replacing 81st District state Rep. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, likely won't come until the weekend, according to an official involved in making the appointment.

Brian Krajewski, DuPage County Republican chairman, said Tuesday he needs to meet with Will County Republican Chairwoman Kathy Havel before picking someone to fill the seat.

A staunch ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner, Sandack resigned this week citing "cyber security issues." He spent two years in the state Senate before moving to the House in 2013.

DuPage GOP leaders will have the biggest say in choosing his replacement, but the Will County Republican Central Committee must be consulted because a small number of precincts in the 81st District are in that county.

Krajewski said he's scheduled to meet Saturday morning with Havel. In the meantime, he's asking other Republicans interested in the position to send him their resume.

"We've got to see who the candidates are," Krajewski said.

Depending on the number of applicants, a decision could come Saturday or Sunday, he said.

On Monday, Krajewski said David S. Olsen is the leading candidate to replace Sandack. Olsen, 27, of Downers Grove, serves as vice chairman of the College of DuPage board of trustees, as a Downers Grove village commissioner and as vice chairman of the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization. He has expressed interest in the House seat in the past.

On Tuesday, Olsen said he was approached by Krajewski and a number of other Republican leaders and asked to consider being Sandack's replacement.

"It's a real great honor for me to have been contacted and for them to be considering me for the position," Olsen said. "At this point, I'm still considering it. It's a major decision for the party, for the district and for me personally."

Whoever is chosen will fill the remainder of Sandack's term and likely be listed on the Nov. 8 ballot to run against Downers Grove Democrat Greg Hose.

Olsen was appointed to the COD board in February to replace former Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton, who resigned in December.

If he's chosen as Sandack's successor, one decision Olsen needs to make is whether he will resign from the Downers Grove village council or from COD board.

"That's something that has to be discussed with my mayor, Mayor (Martin) Tully, and with (COD board) Chairman Deanne Mazzochi, and with Brian Krajewski and others," Olsen said. "I think it's premature to speculate on what I would do."

He said his main goal is to do "the right thing" for residents in Downers Grove, COD's district and the 81st District.

Top Republican lawmaker resigns suddenly citing “cyber security issues”

COD, Downers Grove leader Olsen front-runner to fill Sandack's seat

Republican leader: Resigned lawmaker will be missed

Redacted report sheds little light on Sandack resignation

State Rep. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, resigned this week citing concerns with cyber security.
David Olsen, a Downers Grove commissioner and COD board member, is the leading candidate to replace Ron Sandack.
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