Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) -The Illinois Republican Party needs a new leader, with chairman Don Tracy’s resignation last week. While Tracy said internal fractures were why he’s quitting, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) swats away the idea that the Illinois GOP is only for the people farthest on the right.

“I’m not sure about that,” McCombie said. “I do believe we are the party of the big tent. I strongly believe there is more in the middle of both parties; their voice is just not as loud as the far right and the far left.”

While Illinois Republicans routinely blame the Democrat-drawn maps for the GOP’s superminority status in both the Illinois House and Senate, the Republicans hold no statewide offices.

McCombie says all the next chairman has to do is help raise money, win seats, and build party unity.