After a series of somewhat polarizing Kane County Republican chairmen, we suddenly have some light at the end of a formerly long dark political tunnel. Because if anyone can bring the waring factions of the local GOP together, it’s the Circuit Clerk.
It’s funny, when regularly speaking with Tom during his 2012 run, I almost mistook his calm composure for a lack of effort. I’m just not used to seein’ that kind of thing from GOP candidates. But it quickly became clear that he had the intelligence and quiet persistence to carry out a simple but very effective plan.
In the end, he handily beat his Kane County incumbent opponent despite being outspent by 33 percent. I 
learned a lot about Tom during that campaign.
As our conversations continued, not only has Tom proven he can handle a truly difficult office, but he plays well with other politicians and he knows how to deal with the local press. His sage comments on the previous clerk’s DUI reporting issue were perfect. There was no attempt to blame the “previous scoundrel,” just talk of moving forward.
(Please note that the State of Illinois had a major hand in that reporting problem.)
And that unusual combination of poise and planning in a leader, who’s willing to take an utterly thankless job, is critical at a time when Kane County is at a real risk of turning Democratic. I’ve said it before, if faux Democrat Sue Klinkhamer can get 44 percent of the county chairman vote against Chris Lauzen, without even bothering to campaign, then Republics really should be shaking in their shoes.
So since it doesn’t happen nearly often enough and it’s kind of fun to heap praise on a politician, here’s to Tom Hartwell who happens to be the perfect person for the job.
Your former radio partner will be Vice-Chairman. Connie Von Keudell won the Secretary post and
Kane County Auditor Terry Hunt is now Treasurer of the Kane County GOP.