Naperville councilman bashes DuPage GOP, announces county board candidacy

A Naperville City Council member, unhappy with what he called a lack of aggression from the DuPage County Republican Organization in recent elections, took to Facebook early Wednesday to slam the party and announce his candidacy for DuPage County Board.

Kevin Coyne, a business attorney who has served on the council since 2015, posted on his city council Facebook page that he's tired of seeing local Democrats lead candidate forums and social media initiatives while Republicans stand on the sidelines.

"Our once great DuPage GOP organization has become a shell of its former self," Coyne wrote around 2 a.m. "It does nothing to support local or State R candidates."

Coyne said he will offer a new voice and perspective to Republican voters next November when he runs for the DuPage County Board District 5 seat currently held by attorney James Healy of Naperville. Healy did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Several of Coyne's followers were quick to criticize him for discussing partisan politics while he sits on the historically nonpartisan city council. Others praised him for taking a stand.

Reached Wednesday, Coyne doubled down on his social media comments.

"I think the Republican Party around here was in place and successful for so long that I just don't think they ever had to adapt to the new times with social media," Coyne said. "I just think the general manner in which they have been running things is outdated. They're not aggressive enough. There's no outreach and there's very few social media posts. We need new energy and life in the party."

DuPage Republican Chairman Brian Krajewski did not return calls Wednesday.

Republican leadership, Coyne said, could take some cues from the Democrats.

"City council is nonpartisan but the Democrats have clearly been very active in nonpartisan races. You saw them hosting forums. You saw them helping with canvassing drives," Coyne said. "You see a lot of momentum and energy from that side of things politically that just is not happening on the Republican side."

Coyne said a more formal announcement on his decision to seek the county board seat will be forthcoming.

"The (November 2020) election is still a way out," he said. "I just wanted to let it be known because I know people are already discussing who the candidates are."