A March 5 letter to the editor attacking the New Trier Republican Organization misrepresented our endorsement procedure as something other than a completely democratic process. Prior to voting, our members spent hours conducting personal interviews, telephone conversations and meetings with all 12 congressional candidates. Precinct captains were free to vote for any candidate of his or her choice on the first ballot. Any candidate who did not receive at least 15 percent of the vote was dropped from the ballot and a second vote was taken. In order to receive the endorsement of our organization a candidate needed in excess of 55 percent of the vote. With 12 candidates running, Mark Kirk received more than 41 percent of the vote on the first ballot and secured the endorsement on the second ballot with a higher percentage of the vote than needed. He has since received the endorsements of Wheeling, Libertyville and Shields Townships.
The claim that many precinct captains have resigned is untrue. Only six of the 111 members who were qualified to vote at our endorsement session have taken a temporary leave of absence. The writer went on to attack Congressman John Porter’s recent endorsement of Mark Kirk. It is my understanding that Congressman Porter endorsed for two reasons. First, Mark Kirk is clearly the most experienced and qualified candidate running, and second, many of the l0th Congressional District constituents had been calling Congressman Porter’s office asking for guidance.
