Democratic chairman won't run again

Just weeks after his party stunned some observers by outdrawing Republicans to the polls on primary day, McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman Thomas Cynor said Wednesday he will not seek another term as the party's top official.

Cynor, whose wife had the couple's second child Feb. 8, said he is stepping down from the post to take more time to focus on family and other interests.

"I have added responsibilities at home with the newborn," he said. "It's something I've enjoyed doing, but this opens up time for other opportunities."

Those other opportunities could include a run for public office, Cynor said.

A research attorney for the county's 22nd Judicial Circuit, Cynor has been rumored as a possible challenger for incumbent State's Attorney Louis Bianchi in November.

Cynor, however, said there is no truth to those rumors -- yet.

"It's certainly not a foregone conclusion that I'll be running for office, particularly for state's attorney," he said. "We've had a lot of interest from qualified attorneys interested in that office."

Cynor said he also hopes to continue working for the Democratic Party and plans to run for party treasurer at next week's convention.

He took the chairman's post last year when former Chairman Patrick Ouimet resigned for health reasons.

The most memorable moment of his short tenure occurred in this month's primary, Cynor said, when more Democratic than Republicans ballots were pulled by voters, despite the county's long history as a GOP stronghold.

Party Vice Chairman Kathleen Bergan Schmidt is considered a front-runner to replace Cynor. The party convention begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Woodstock Opera House.

At the same time Democrats are choosing their next leader, the county GOP will be holding its own convention, with the primary order of business being the selection of a chairman to replace outgoing chief Bill LeFew.

The prohibitive favorite to win the post is state Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake.

The convention takes place at 7 p.m. at the Woodstock VFW Post 5040.