Mr. and Mrs. Smith divorced last week, and the election between them for the District 14 GOP State Central Committee will be held this week
Illinois Record questions whether the partisan role was considered a marital asset
41-year-old Beth Smith divorced her 80-year-old opponent for the 14th District GOP State Central Committee District 14 on April 9th, according to a Kendall County political insider. But still, the former extreme age gapped ILGOP power couple will be back this week to face off in their April 15th election. The Illinois Record cannot, in good conscience, endorse either candidate between the former Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Facebook/ State Central Committee District 14 Opponents Beth Findley Smith and Larry Smith
Some critics of Beth Smith mention her domestic battery charge against Larry. However, the Illinois Record previously reported that Mr. Smith admitted to police that he also hit Beth in the face with an open hand.
Shaw Media/ Story about domestic incident
The most damning allegation of their relationship was that Larry Smith claimed he asked Val “stolen valor” Ojeda, to secretly take Beth’s underwear and test it for DNA.
Facebook/ An attack ad fake police officer and military veteran Val Ojeda created against Beth Smith
This allegation has been made in Republican circles in addition to two primary sources telling the writer that this rumor is true. Larry Smith was asked for comment on April 4th, but has not responded. The article will be updated if he does.
The Illinois Republican/ Val Ojeda (left) Larry Smith (right)
If this accusation is true, it would be a serious invasion of privacy and should disqualify anyone from office, even if it is not illegal, especially since the couple lived together. Sadly, this kind of alleged behavior seems common now in the Illinois Republican Party, which currently has no statewide officials and is a superminority in both legislative houses.
Facebook/ Some of the threats from Val “Stolen Valor” Ojeda
As of this writing, Mr. Smith has about the same chance of winning the 14th District election as his former wife.
John Reeves, a GOP strategist from Kendall County, has advised Illinois Republican politicians such as Dennis Hastert, Dean White, and Jed Davis.
Face book / Named Ilgop Strategist John Reeves
Reeves says candidates should “reset” after the primary. DuPage County GOP Chair Kevin Coyne adds that when Republicans attack each other, it helps Democrats win. Both leaders, despite criticism, know how to survive in a divided Illinois Republican Party.
Facebook/ Dupage County GOP and Lawrence Stowe Republican Precinct Captain and one of the most watched subjects in the history of the TV show “60 minutes” agreeing.
In reality, both sides in the Smith dispute will probably unite on April 16 in an ILGOP where staying in the game matters more than political values.
Facebook/ Beth Findley Smith left and Larry Smith right
The 39-year age gap between the former Smiths, though legal, was unsettling to this 34-year-old writer and seemed like a strange fit for a deeply conservative LaSalle County. Before and during their marriage, Beth served as Larry’s deputy committeeperson in the LaSalle County GOP and was also his partner. Some have compared Beth’s political rise during their relationship to Kamala Harris.
Facebook/ Larry Smith
Facebook/ Beth Findley Smith
Still, as one Illinois Republican put it, “it was a marriage of choice.” Politics is a contest where candidates are judged by their values and judgment.
A person’s choices in their personal life often reflect their political judgment, and Beth Findley Smith’s political career has included some poor decisions and questionable allies.
Just recently, Beth touted the endorsement of controversial Cook County chair Eric Angerer and has long opposed the popular idea of allowing Republican primary voters to elect the State Central Committee.
Facebook/ Beth Findley Smith and Eric Angerer
Beth’s political stances, probably more so than her private past, make her unfit to be the State Central Committee person for the 14th District. That said, there is a conundrum: Mr. Smith—former political boss, lover, and mentor—is even worse.
The Illinois Record previously reported that the ILGOP’s use of people with mental illness for political purposes could lead to threats of real violence.
A year ago, we covered RNC committee chair Richard Porter’s role in creating the “grassroots committee,” with only a brief mention of Larry Smith. The Illinois Record respected Porter’s experience with the Clinton impeachment trial, his legal background, and his work at Kirkland & Ellis. It was surprising to see Porter support people like Val “stolen valor” Ojeda and self-proclaimed Latin King human trafficker Terry Newsome through the grassroots committee.
Facebook/ Terry Newsome who has been arrested for selling cocaine and explosives in the past claims on facebook to have been in the Latin Kings and could have sold the author in prison.
YouTube/ Behind Enemy Lines video of Larry Smith’s former allies Terry Newsome and Val Ojeda
Larry Smith’s involvement in the failed “grassroots committee” was not surprising, given his questionable political connections. Val Ojeda, who has falsely claimed to be an Aurora police detective and a Gulf War veteran, says Larry Smith played a key role in forming the committee.
The Illinois Republican/ Val Ojeda’s Blog article titled “ The New Republican party for 2024”
The committee allowed short-term, self-proclaimed MAGA activists to misrepresent Republicans, was poorly managed, and quickly fell apart. Throughout his time in Illinois GOP politics, Larry Smith has focused on making deals and challenging rivals to strengthen his own position.
Illinois Review/ Article detailing the beginning of the collapse of the “Grassroots” committee
While Democratic officials often use social media to recruit volunteers and share their agenda, since February, the Illinois Record has counted 31 AI-generated videos of babies, often with dogs, on Larry Smith’s social media.
Larry Smith “Civic” Facebook/ Just some of the questionable AI baby and dog videos.
Beyond concerns about his character, Larry Smith has been an even stronger opponent than Beth of letting people directly elect State Central Committee members. The Illinois Record believes that having to choose between him and his former wife is the clearest sign that direct elections are needed.
Hot Chocolate / Everyone’s a WInner