County Republicans undecided on Long

The La Salle County Republican Party has not made up its mind on whether it will support state Rep. Jerry Long's bid for re-election after harassment allegations were lodged against him.

Party chairman Don Jensen said the county GOP is looking into the facts of the case before it makes a decision. He is unsure of a timetable when a decision may be made.

Last week, the Illinois House Republican Organization and Illinois Republican Party both pulled their support, including finances, from Long's campaign after the HRO said it conducted a third-party investigation into a complaint. They also asked him to resign.

Long has said he is staying in the race, saying he has done nothing to warrant his resignation.

The incumbent Republican of Streator is running against Democrat Lance Yednock, of Ottawa, for the 76th District House seat. The post, which was long held by Democrat Frank Mautino, is considered a battleground between the two parties.

Long gained the seat by defeating Mautino's successor, Andy Skoog, in the 2016 November election, in a race that saw both sides spend more than $3 million.

Long had already garnered $37,674.98 from the House Republican Organization and $86,348.80 from the Illinois Republican Party in his bid.

Jensen said the La Salle County Republican Central Committee meets Tuesday, Oct. 2.

"Hopefully we'll know something by then," he said.