McConnaughay to announce political intentions

Speculation about the political future of Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughy is a hot item following the public surfacing of a possible political rivalry with State Sen. Chris Lauzen last week. As a result, McConnaughay said she will announce her plans for political office “very soon.”

Lauzen passed out a chart about the history of the county's tax levy in an apparent attempt to undercut McConnaughay's presentation last week on the fiscal position of the county. That fueled speculation that Lauzen was gunning for McConnaughay's chairman slot. Since then, multiple members of the Kane County Republican Party have said privately they believe McConnaughay will seek election to the new 33rd District state senate seat. That seat covers much of the St. Charles Township area where McConnaughay lives.

When asked, McConnaughay said there's no shortage of issues in the county for her to deal with.

“Right now I am assessing where I can make the most impact in dealing with those issues,” McConnaughay said. She added that she will definitely run for some level of political office.

“I think I can still contribute in some meaningful way,” she added.

In recent weeks, McConnaughay has also shown she can still receive meaningful contributions. She raked in $12,000 in political contributions in May, indicating a revving up of her campaign engines. That total compares to only $950 received in the first few months of the year.

“She'd be an excellent candidate wherever she goes,” Kane County Republican Party Chairman Mike Kenyon said. “I would be pleased to send Karen McConnaughay anywhere to serve Kane County.”

A tidal wave of legislative change looming in the near future will influence McConnaughay's decision. The county board just trimmed two of its seats in a redistricting process. That process is only the prelude to next year's election, which will feature the chairman seat and all 24 county board seats being up for grabs at the same time. State and federal elections under new maps will also happen at the same time.

Should McConnaughay not seek re-election to her chairman seat, local Republicans will look for a GOP successor. Several local Republicans, including Kenyon, said county board member Mark Davoust is eyeing the position.

Campaign records show Davoust, of St. Charles, has about $11,000 in his war chest right now to make a run for countywide office. Davoust said he'll seek political office in the next election but he's not prepared to say what office he'll seek just yet.

“There's still a county board District 14 that I represent,” Davoust said. “That's the only thing that I'm focused on right now.”

McConnaughay said if she decides not to run for the chairman seat, she won't endorse any candidate who seeks the office. Kenyon said it's too early to say what sort of chairman candidate Davoust would make, especially since there will be other Republicans interested in the slot.

“I know Mark,” Kenyon said. “I respect him, and I think he's done a good job on the county board.”