Kane County Republican official gets top GOP post

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Republican Party's new co-chair says that as a Kane County resident and native of Mexico, she will try to help the party reach out to Hispanic voters for the 2012 elections.

Gabriela Wyatt of Aurora was tapped to be state party co-chair this week. The position was previously vacant.

Wyatt, 45, serves as co-chair of Kane County Republican Party, and started a local Hispanics for McCain group during the 2008 election. She said she'll continue to try to reach out to Hispanic voters, now on a statewide scale.

“That will be one of my biggest responsibilities and tasks,” Wyatt said.

And, she said, getting everyone interested in politics will be part of her job.

“I think this election proved that people are paying attention,” she said.

Wyatt was chosen for the job by state party Chairman Pat Brady. Brady lives in St. Charles, meaning two of the Illinois Republican Party's top officials will now be based in Kane County.

Brady is the face of the state party, but the specifics of Wyatt's role hasn't yet been determined. Wyatt and Brady plan to meet to talk about it after the holidays. Brady and Wyatt met early during the 2008 election when Brady was pulling for McCain and Wyatt was supporting former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“She's one of the hardest-working people I've ever met in the party,” Brady said.