Dupage Policy Journal

Kevin Coyne, chair of the DuPage County Republican Party, says the GOP will take a “far more aggressive approach” in 2026 as it works to rebuild after election losses and reduced influence in the county.

Coyne, who was elected chair earlier this year, outlined plans to boost turnout, expand vote-by-mail participation among Republicans, and field candidates in every state legislative district that includes DuPage.

The DuPage GOP, once a dominant force in Illinois politics, has seen its influence decline due to demographic changes, redistricting and internal divisions. In the early 2000s, the party held significant control locally and supported statewide Republican victories. 

By 2018, it had lost key legislative, county and congressional seats.

With Illinois voters heading to the polls for the March 17 primary and the Nov. 3 general election in 2026, Coyne said the party is focused on rebuilding its organizational structure and voter base.

“We've obviously had a few very tough cycles in DuPage County,” Coyne told the DuPage Policy Journal. "Right now we're going through a complete rebuild of our organization, and I can promise a far more aggressive approach in the next cycle." 

Addressing the challenges facing the party, Coyne emphasized the need to reignite enthusiasm among GOP voters and highlight the consequences of Democratic leadership.

“We need to get Republican voters excited and proud to be Republicans again,” he said. “We also need to remind the voters just how damaging the Democratic Party has been wherever it's taken hold. We simply have to take this county back.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 races, which include contests for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state legislative seats and some appeals courts, Coyne said the GOP will work to field competitive candidates across the board, despite district maps he says are drawn to favor Democrats.

“The state rep districts in DuPage have been very much gerrymandered to the Democrats' benefit and we've seen what a tough road that's created for our candidates,” Coyne said. “That said, it is my strong desire to have good candidates in every one of those races. In any state rep race that touches DuPage we appear to have candidates lined up for most of those seats already.” 

The 2026 election cycle follows what Coyne called a “complete disaster” in the municipal elections held April 1, which occurred only months after he was elected as Chair.

After the election, Coyne noted that Democratic vote-by-mail turnout reached nearly 50%, while turnout among non-VBM voters—primarily Republicans—was 16%. He called improving Republican participation in vote-by-mail “priority one” and said he has personally signed up for permanent vote-by-mail.

Coyne also criticized what he described as Republican candidates being too cautious in nonpartisan races.

“You shouldn’t be embarrassed to be a Republican,” Coyne said in a message to voters after the April 1 election. “The county’s as strong as it is today because of how strong the Republican Party’s been. We’ve done a great job here for a great number of years. We need to remind people of that.” 

He also addressed the party’s financial challenges, saying it is being outspent by Democrats backed by labor unions, political action committees and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s personal resources. In response, he said the party is launching a small-donor membership program and planning major fundraising events.

He also called for unity across ideological lines within the party and praised grassroots activists as “a critical part” of the GOP’s future.

"We need to kill the sniping," Coyne said. "Grassroots are a pivotal, critical part of this party. You're not going to be able to have functioning campaigns without a strong, loud grassroots base of support. We have to have that. We have to give them respect. They must always have a seat at the table.”