Republican County Chairmen's Association Leadership
President Rhonda Belford
Rhonda Belford currently serves as the Chairman of the Hardin County Republican Central Committee, and has proudly served as the Southern Regional Vice President for the RCCA and The Deputy Central Committeewoman for the Illinois Republican Party for the 15th Congressional District. Since its newly redistricting, Belford was elected to serve the 12th Congressional District as its First State Central Committeewoman for the New District at the County Conventions held in July, 2022. By August 30th of 2022 Belford was proud to be Elected as the First Woman President of the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association. Belford is a Registered Nurse of 39 Years and has served in Long- term, Primary and Acute Care settings in Administrative roles. Belford has also served in Community Affairs and Marketing for two of Illinois’s State Treasurers for approximately 6 years. Belford enjoys community and Economic Development and tourism related focus and served as Golconda Main Street Director and Ohio River Scenic Byway, Inc. NFP Director, continuing to serve currently as the ORSB’s President as well as now over 12 years as a Commissioner to the Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission. She also serves on the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, a member of the Pope/Hardin Farm Bureau, Harrisburg Kiwanis and a long time Fluorspar Festival Committee Member. Rhonda is an active member of the First Apostolic Church of Rosiclare where she is an active part of the praise and worship team. This is where she credits her inspiration and strength for much of her singing ability in addition to her dear Mother for her encouragement which led to the #2 Singing News, Chart- topping, Song “When Nothing but a Miracle Will Do” as well as other music opportunities. It Wouldn’t be unusual to find Rhonda leading many events with our “National Anthem”. Rhonda is married to her high school sweet heart, Michael, they have 2 grown sons, Jerod and Britt and with their families they are blessed with 4 grand children and reside in Southern Illinois.
Phone: 618.525.1855 | Email: belstar@shawneelink.net
Vice President Sean Morrison [Cook County]
Sean Morrison currently serves as the Chairman of the Cook County Republican Central Committee, and the Vice President of the Cook County Region of the Republican County Chairmen's Association of Illinois. Sean is motivated by his devotion to family, community and the rule of law. A strong believer in limited government and proactive private assistance, Sean Morrison has spent his adult life creating jobs and giving back to the community to improve the quality of life in Cook County. Sean Morrison knows how to get things done, and he’s been doing it for over 30 years. Long before he became actively involved in government and volunteering for qualified suburban candidates, Sean Morrison was an outspoken advocate of responsible and sustainable government financing. A successful business owner who created his company after working his way through Moraine Valley Community College, Sean Morrison now employs and supervises almost 1,000 employees as the CEO of Morrison Security Corporation. Sean and his wife Lora, a registered nurse, are raising their two daughters in south suburban Palos Park.
Phone: 708.361.2152 | Email: cookcountygop.il@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT CHRISTINA CLAUSEN [COLLAR COUNTY REGION]
Collar County Region Includes: DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties
Christina Clausen is married, mother of 3 sons and President of her construction business. She has been a resident of Homer Glen for 11 years. As an active, grassroots Republican Precinct Committeeman, she has assisted in many campaigns over the years. She became an outspoken advocate for children during the COVID lockdowns.
Christina brings with her an energetic team ready to assist candidates and build the Will County Republican Party.
Phone: 630.947.4166 | Email: ChristinaClausenforIllinois@gmail.com
Vice President Lana Soldat [NORTHERN REGION]
Northern Region Includes: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, & Winnebago Counties
Phone: 815.499.5481 | Email: L.Soldat@yahoo.com
Deputy Vice President Paul Hofmann [NORTHERN REGION]
Northern Region Includes: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, & Winnebago Counties
Paul Hofmann has served as a Precinct Committeeman for years before running for Illinois Senate District 34 in 2020. He then ran for Harlem Township Trustee with a slate of Republican Candidates.
This slate was elected in 2021 and became a Republican majority for the first time in over 40 years. Paul was elected Chairman of Winnebago County Republican Central Committee (WCRCC) in 2022 and reelected in 2024.
Phone: 815.315.2457 | Email: pdhofmann2020@gmail.com
Vice President James L. Ayers [Central Region]
Central Region Includes: Adams, Brown, Bureau, Cass, Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Iroquois, Kankakee, Knox, LaSalle, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, & Woodford Counties
Mr. James L. Ayers is the Piatt County Republican Chairman following a long line of local distinguished Republicans including his brother Stephen Ayers, Jim Reed and Mike Wildman representing 40 years of Piatt County Republican leadership. His family traces their Republican support back to the Reagan election. His sister Betty Ayers, now Comerford worked in the Reagan White House for his first 6 years. Mr. James L. Ayers is a principal in the law firm of Shonkwiler & Ayers located in Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois. He is a past president of the Piatt County Bar Association and a member of the Illinois and American Bar Associations. In addition, Mr. Ayers is President of Central Illinois Manufacturing Co.(Cim-Tek Filtration) in Bement, IL. For the past 60 years, this company has provided petroleum solutions for the agricultural market, gas stations and industrial filtration systems. Mr. James L. Ayers was elected to the Parkland College Board of Trustees in 1989 and re-elected four more times. He became Board Chairman when John Albin retired in 1999 until 2001, served as Vice-Chairman from 2002-2003 and Chairman in 2007 to 2012 and since as Secretary. James L. Ayers is the former Mayor of Monticello, 1993-2001. Mr. Ayers graduated from the University of Illinois, January 1970 and from the University of Tulsa College of Law in July 1972. From 1972 to 1976 he served on active duty in the USAF as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate. James also is dedicated to serving various civic organizations, including Rotary, Lions, and the Boy Scouts. James led the first GSE Rotary Group Study Exchange to China in 2006. In addition to the Silver Beaver Award, he is the Past President of Prairielands Council, BSA. James is married to Linda and they are the parents of a son Jeff and a daughter Leslie Patrick. They have four grandchildren.
Phone: 217.369.7957 | Email: ayers@prairieinet.net
Secretary; Vice President Bruce Rodley [Southern Region]
Southern Region Includes: Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Shelby, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson, & Union Counties.
Bruce Rodely currently serves as the Chairman of the Perry County Republican Central Committee, Secretary of the Republican County Chairmen's Association of Illinois, and Vice President for the Southern Region.
Phone: 618.318.1376 | Email: brodely@hotmail.com
Deputy Vice President Michael Butler [Southern Region]
Southern Region Includes: Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Shelby, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson, & Union Counties.
A lifelong resident of Southern Illinois, Michael Butler is committed to getting Illinois back on track. In his current role as Chairman of the St. Clair County GOP, he works alongside his fellow precinct committeemen to elect Republican officials at all levels of government and is committed to ensuring that our values are represented from the courthouse to the White House. Michael is also Cor Strategies’ Southern Illinois political expert where he has helped lead the political strategy and operations of over 200 local, judicial, state, and federal campaigns and political organizations, including the No Progressive Tax campaign. Prior to that, he served as Mike Bost’s Political Director from 2017-2018. Michael is a weekly contributor to the Smoke-Filled Room podcast, leads a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church O’Fallon, and has 9 ducks.
Phone: 618.237.1819 | Email: Michael@scilgop.com
Treasurer Kelvin Kunath
Kelvin Kunath currently serves as the Chairman of the Pope County Republican Central Committee and Treasurer of the Republican County Chairmen's Association of Illinois.
Phone: 618-534-8432 | Email: Kelray66@yahoo.com