Region’s GOP delegates head to convention with uncertainty, enthusiasm and hope for unity

Delegates from Southern Illinois are headed to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland with excitement, some curiosity, a little trepidation, and hope that the event unites the party behind its candidate, Donald Trump.

The Republican Party will meet in Cleveland, beginning Monday, to officially nominate Trump as its candidate in the presidential election.

Illinois’ delegation is largely made up of political newcomers inspired by the non-establishment Trump.

They include Stella Kozanecki of Mount Vernon, a retiree from an insurance company who has never held public office. She’s never been to a national political convention and isn’t sure what to expect.

“I have no idea. I have never done anything like this before,” she said. “I have no idea how the voting will take place, whether it’s by ballot or voice vote or how it will be handled. But I’m looking forward to it.”

Kozanecki said there are various events she’ll be attending, including a reception with Ohio Gov. John Kasich. She looks forward to hearing speeches from GOP supporters and leaders, including Newt Gingrich. “I’d love to listen to him,” she said.

What about quarterback Tim Tebow, who had been rumored to be a speaker? “Not really,” she said. “I’m aware of who he is, and that’s about all.”

Kozanecki hopes the speakers at the convention can unify Republicans following the contentious primary. She said House Speaker Paul Ryan needs to help with that.

“He’s not one of my favorite politicians. I wish he would come out and say ‘I am backing Mr. Trump,’ but he’s not done that. He’s just said ‘I am voting for Mr. Trump,’” Kozanecki said.

Gloria Campos of Murphysboro, who is a businesswoman and the chairwoman of the Jackson County Republican Party, will be attending her fifth Republican National Convention. She is an alternate at-large delegate, chosen by the state Republican Party.

Campos originally supported Jeb Bush, but now supports Trump. She hopes all Republicans who supported other candidates during the primary will line up behind Trump.

“To say that it’s going to happen with all of the Republican Party members might be ambitious, but not impossible,” she said. “With the selection of Gov. (Mike) Pence for vice president, he has gotten a lot of support from conservatives in the party.”

She added, “For me it has been a no-brainer. This is a matter of, we have two candidates that are running for president. One is Republican, the other one is a Democrat. I am a Republican.”

Many of the state’s top Republicans, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, are skipping the convention. The state’s Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has even denounced Trump.

A handful of Illinois’ delegates who were elected in the March primary have told state party leaders they won’t attend the convention. Some cited the cost.

Mary Schmidt of Columbia, a Trump supporter, was elected as an alternate delegate and was eligible to attend the convention. But she said she’ll be skipping it, in part because of the cost and in part because there’s no longer a possibility that Trump’s nomination will be contested.

Schmidt predicts the party will rally behind Trump.

“I absolutely do — because of the alternative,” she said.

Schmidt declined to give any background information about herself except to say that she’s older than 65. She said she’s never been to a national political convention, and would like to be there, but she isn’t too upset about missing it.

“I think there’s going to be enough going on in Cleveland, that I’ll be happy to watch it from home,” she said.

Trump’s rallies have spawned confrontations between supporters and protestors. And with fresh terrorist attacks across the globe, security will be high.

Kozanecki said she’s only slightly concerned about safety.

“Of course there’s some concern. But the RNC is providing a bus service from the hotel — they’ll pick us up at the hotel and take us to the convention center and all of these social events — so there’s no reason for us to be taking a cab or driving around for anything,” she said. “I’m sure they won’t take us to some area that’s not secure. I’m not too worried, but of course you don’t know what kind of crazies are going to be there.”

Campos said protests are nothing new at political conventions.

“There have always been protestors, but times have changed. I’m expecting to see some protestors, but at the same time, there’s a lot of security. I think we should be OK,” she said.

Does she fear a terrorist strike?

“To tell you that it hasn’t been in the back of my mind, I would be lying to you. But I will not let the fear of terrorism rule my life,” she said. “We have to live. I am a survivor.”

Campos grew up in Nicaragua but fled the country with her family in 1979 during a period of political unrest and civil war.

Trump’s positions on immigration and his proposal to build a border wall are fine with Campos.

“I had to wait my turn,” she said. “I respected the law.”

Two of the three congressmen who represent the metro-east will be at the convention.

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, will attend and supports Trump, said spokesman Steve Tomaszewski.

“He’s pretty much said all along he would support the nominee — pretty much as soon as Trump was the last one standing, he said he would support him,” Tomaszewski said. “But there’s more than just being at the actual convention. There’s so many other events and functions in Cleveland surrounding it. It’s almost as much networking as anything.”

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, said: “I've always been excited to go to the convention. It’s part of being a Republican leader in our state. And it’s not just about who’s going to get the nomination for president. It’s about getting together with Republicans nationwide and in the state of Illinois to make sure we keep Republican seats and win more.”

A spokesman for Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said Bost supports Trump but won’t be attending the convention because of meetings and other commitments in the district.

This story was originally published July 16, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Region’s GOP delegates head to convention with uncertainty, enthusiasm and hope for unity."