FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 6, 2008

ROCKFORD, IL – Winnebago County Democrats elected Dan Lewandowski as their new Democratic Party Chairman.  Greg Tuite, who had served as Chairman since 2002, announced in January that he would not seek another two-year term so he could concentrate his efforts on his candidacy for State Representative in the 69th District.  Immediately after Tuite’s announcement, Rockford attorney Dan Lewandowski announced that he would seek the Chairmanship and then worked to garner the support of party leaders.   By the time of the party’s biannual convention, held March 5th at the Lithuanian Club, Lewandowski had secured the support of all the Democratic Party’s key constituencies, and he was elected Chairman by unanimous acclimation of the enthusiastic party members in attendance.

Lewandowski, a Rockford native, had served on the party’s Executive Committee since 2002, and he had recently run a very competitive race for State Senate.   He cited his experience as a candidate as being essential to accomplishing several of his goals as Chairman, including coordinating campaigns, continuing to increase financial support for the party and candidates, and reaching out to new voters.

“We will work together to help elect Democrats who run for office in Winnebago County.  Our goal will be to win in November and do what is best for our community.  We will win because our candidates, across the board, believe in good government, in representing the interests of working and middle-class families, in fiscal responsibility, and in the notion that it is the highest privilege to serve the people of Winnebago County,” Lewandowski said after the election.