About Cook GOP
Chairman
Leadership
City Of Chicago
Cook County
9/2/2010
Stroger Just Doesn't Care Anymore
8/31/2010
Berrios Under the Microscope
8/31/2010
GOP Takes Unprecedented 10-Point Lead on Generic Ballot
09/08/2010
Reception for Senator Bill Brady
09/12/2010
Carl Segvich for Commissioner Fundraiser
09/12/2010
Elk Grove Township GOP Family Picnic
Meet Roger Keats
Had Enough of Pat Quinn?
Pat Quinn's Christmas in July
Keats Gets GOP Nod For Cook County Board President
2/3/2010 1:40:17 PM
CHICAGO (CBS) ? Click to enlarge1 of 1
Roger Keats, a political consultant and former Illinois state senator, has won the Republican primary election for Cook County Board president.
Keats for Cook
Close
Chicago - Looking to retake control of Cook County's $3 billion budget -- and the 25,000 jobs on the county payroll -- Roger Keats won the Republican nomination for County Board President on Tuesday, defeating John Garrido.
Keats took 69 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, compared to 31 percent for Garrido. He will face off against Democrat Toni Preckwinkle, a Chicago alderman, in the November general election. She defeated three Democratic rivals, including incumbent Todd Stroger.
It's been more than 40 years since a Republican -- Richard Ogilvie -- has served as Cook County Board President, but given voter dissatisfaction with the economy and the recent sales tax hike in Cook County, this year might be the GOP's best opportunity to take back that office.
In a debate last month, Keats highlighted fellow Republican Scott Brown winning the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat.
"Did you just notice Massachusetts?" Keats said. "People are finally waking up that government is the problem."
Some observers say the attention on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's trial this summer might convince many Cook County residents to vote Republican in November.
Both Garrido and Keats had promised to cut waste and end patronage hiring, both of which have long been problems in county government.
Both also have said they want to roll back the rest of the controversial sales tax hike and expand the county's independent health system board.
If Keats wins: Keats has promised to fire "150 of Todd Stroger's friends and relatives" on the county payroll.
Keats, 61, is a political consultant and financial adviser. He was a state senator from the North Shore's 29th district from 1978 to 1994.
Garrido, 42, is a veteran Chicago police officer serving as a tactical lieutenant and has been an undercover drug officer and worked violent crimes and homicides. He also has a law degree.
