McHenry County Republican Party treasurer resigns

McHenry County Republican Party Treasurer Rachael Lawrence has resigned.

Lawrence tendered her immediate resignation to party leaders Monday morning in a letter critical of the party’s performance since the March primary election.

“I can no longer say that the individuals in the current county Republican leadership represent those GOP values which so many proud Republicans and I hold so dearly,” Lawrence wrote. “For that reason, I tender my resignation as treasurer of the Republican Central Committee of McHenry County.”

Elected in April, Lawrence became treasurer on a cabinet including Chairwoman Diane Evertsen, Vice President Chuck Wheeler and Secretary Karen Tirio.

She said her resignation is not an indictment on the Republican Party as a whole; it’s an indictment on the Republican leaders in McHenry County.

Lawrence said a lack of fundraising efforts and the unwillingness of party leaders to work with all Republicans in McHenry County contributed to her decision to leave her post.

Her resignation letter offered a takedown of the local party.

“While I have learned many valuable lessons during this time behind the scenes, I have also become disillusioned,” wrote Lawrence, who remains a trustee and precinct committeewoman in Algonquin Township. “As time progressed, what I envisioned as innovation revealed itself as status quo; invigoration as complacency and inaction; competence as arrogance; inclusivity as perpetual division.”

Wheeler, a McHenry County Board member representing District 4, and Evertsen, a 73-year-old Harvard grandmother and political insider with a long résumé that includes a stint as president of Minutemen Midwest – an organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center designated a "nativist extremist" group – were not available for comment Monday.

Lawrence said she refuses to “play any role” in what she called “the root of the exclusivity and deep division” in historically conservative McHenry County.

“What we need now is modernization, harmony and strong but inclusive leaders unafraid to re-energize and welcome the fresh perspectives of a new generation,” Lawrence wrote. “Since the current McHenry County Republican establishment is unable or unwilling, I will continue my efforts elsewhere until that day arrives – and it will. I sincerely thank you, precinct committeemen, for the wonderful opportunity and invaluable life lesson.”