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Two longtime activists in Republican politics are hoping to represent Illinois on the Republican National Committee.

Delegates at the Illinois Republican Party state convention in Collinsville Memorial Day weekend will select a new National Committeeman and National Committeewoman, the state’s two representatives on the Republican National Committee.

The current national committeeman, Richard Porter, and national committeewoman, Demetra DeMonte, are term limited from to continuing to serve on the RNC. (We told you about the race for national committeeman earlier this week.)

In Illinois, where Donald Trump lost the state by more than a million votes in both 2016 and 2020, GOP leaders in the state are seeking a path forward in the fall with Trump popular downstate and a drag on down ticket Republicans in the Chicago suburbs.

Three Republicans are seeking the position as a liaison between the RNC and the state party. But potentially the most notable name is one that was left off the final list of candidates.

Former state representative Jeanne Ives, who sits of the Illinois GOP Central Committee and has run for governor and congress, was seen by many as a prohibitive favorite to win the spot. Due to party rules, she was removed from contention because she can’t appear in Collinsville at the state convention in person.

A nominating committee of 17 will interview candidates for the post at the GOP convention Memorial Day weekend and will recommend a candidate for the post to the full slate of convention delegates.

Hardin County GOP Chair Rhonda Belford, who chairs the Republican County Chairs’ Association is seeking the slot. She also sits on the state GOP central committee and previously ran for State Representative in 2006. She is joined by 9th District state central committee member Joan Lasonde, a former GOP congressional candidate.

A third candidate, New Trier Township GOP committeeman Julie Cho, is also seeking the slot. She did not return messages from The Illinoize.