(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Election Day “was not the finish line. It’s the starting line,” said Aaron Del Mar (pictured, left, with gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey), the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

He says the “national headwinds” brought down the GOP last week, and now – not two years from now – is the time to recruit “high-quality candidates.” Connecting with potential donors and discussing the platform are important. “This election really should be a wakeup call for everybody across the state that we need to get our act together,” added Del Mar.

Del Mar wants a party convention next year “to draft new bylaws, new platform and elect new leaders and build a solid foundation for future growth.”

Del Mar said the Democrats who knocked off statehouse Republicans are only “renting” those seats, which he expects the GOP to take back in 2028. He says Illinois voters have re-elected a governor who excels at overspending and a slate of Democrats who do not know how to govern.

“This exodus of people that we’ve seen over the last decade is going to continue,” Del Mar said. “Illinoisans really need to wake up.” So why is he staying here? “I believe in my state,” he responded. “I have my family. I can’t just pick up and leave. We should have the opportunity to thrive in Illinois, and I am going to stay in the fight.”

Del Mar said he can contribute to the Republicans regardless of whether he seeks elective office again.