Mel Gurel - Vice Chairwoman

Mel Gurel - Vice Chairwoman

Melanie (Mel) Gurel has been a resident of Buffalo Grove for 8 years. Her journey into local politics began in earnest shortly after March 2020 when Covid lockdowns began, and it became obvious that the executive orders for masking and remote learning had no clear end in sight. After helping to organize a rally at Stevenson High School, she found a political home at VTRO. She is also a co-chair of the Awake Illinois Vernon/Ela Townships chapter and serves as an appointed Precinct Committeewoman for Vernon 288. However, her most challenging and rewarding accomplishment during the time of Covid was homeschooling her son for third grade. Helping to turn Illinois red will be a close second.


  • donated 2024-11-20 15:22:11 -0600

  • published VTR Digital Voting Guide in Resources 2024-09-25 20:03:30 -0500

  • published VTR Statement in News 2024-08-14 17:51:34 -0500

    VTR Statement

    published VTR Statement in News 2024-08-14 17:51:34 -0500

  • published Local Politics in News 2024-06-21 22:52:21 -0500

    The Next Chairman of the Illinois State Central Committee

    published Local Politics in News 2024-06-21 22:52:21 -0500

    Who Will Be The Next Illinois Republican SCC Chairman?

     

    Political Positioning Through The Years

    (Courtesy of Elon Musk)

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  • Who Will Be The Next Illinois Republican SCC Chairman?

     

    Political Positioning Through The Years

    (Courtesy of Elon Musk)

    Read More

  • published Candidate Petitions in Take Action 2024-05-23 14:25:38 -0500

  • donated 2024-03-06 12:42:53 -0600

  • published Labor Day Budget 2023-08-30 11:03:39 -0500

  • pledged $250.00 2023-04-13 09:44:51 -0500

    Membership Drive

    pledged $250.00 2023-04-13 09:44:51 -0500

    Membership Drive

    $6,541.00 Pledged
    Goal: $12,500.00 Pledged

    Why Join?

    Your membership subscription to the Vernon Township Republicans supports our work to win elections that impact your safety, what your kids are learning in school, and your taxes. 

    What are the Membership Benefits?

    Access to members only events, programming, and community:

    Speaker Series: 6 topical speakers, at least 4 in person with food and beverages provided. This year's speaker's series is expected to include Wirepoint's Ted Dabrowski, Illinois Policy Institute's Austin Berg, former Chicago Tribune Editorial Board member Kristen McQueary, Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy, and additional speakers to be announced soon

    Movie Screenings: 2023's lineup includes group screenings of Local 1The Hong Konger, and Hoaxed

    Book Club: A new addition to our membership program, members will receive copies of two books and have the chance to join the discussion with other members. The first book we will discuss will be The Blueprint: How Democrats Won Colorado (And Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care) by Adam Schrager and Rob Witwer and the second will be Parents of the World, Unite! (How to Save Our Schools from the Left's Radical Agenda) by Ian Prior

    Vernon Township Republicans Mug

    Take that first sip in the morning knowing you are supporting the Right cause

    Monthly Newsletter

    Carefully curated content that hits your inbox on the first Monday of the month so that you: 1) know about important happenings with the Illinois and Lake County Republican parties, 2) learn more about what is going on with county and township government, and 3) are more aware of volunteer opportunities to support local causes and candidates

    Membership Cost

    An annual contribution of $249 ($51 discount) or $25 a month ($300 annual).

    Safer streets, better schools, and lower taxes for less than a large deep dish pizza each month. Be healthy, become a member!

    Where Does Your Membership Go?

    The Vernon Township Republicans are charged with representing the Republican Party in the 9 different communities that make up Vernon Township and the over 45,000 registered voters that call it home.

    In addition to vetting and recruiting candidates, our organization is responsible for maximizing Republican turnout in Vernon Township to improve the chances that Republicans win vital statewide, congressional, state legislative, and county races while candidates that share our values are elected to the school board and other positions in municipal government.

    In support of these efforts, our Precinct Committeemen go door to door to contact the over 8,500 identified Republicans in Vernon Township. Our organization sends mailers (like the one below) and digital ads to thousands of prospective supporters across the township to drive victory.

    VTR_Mailer.jpg

    We also host events for Republican candidates looking for ways to introduce themselves to these residents and share resources from their campaigns (including literature and yard signs) to prospective supporters.

    Your membership dues go toward making sure the Vernon Township Republicans have the resources required to support these efforts, including access to the data and technology infrastructure that brings all of these tactics and strategies together.

    A copy of our strategic plan is available online at www.vernongop.win/2026 where you can learn more about our leadership team, our mission, vision, and values, and our multi-year approach to build an "always on" grassroots conservative machine in Vernon Township.

    Where Can You Join?

    Our membership program is brand new, and we are first gathering pledges for members of the community so that we can gather feedback about the program's outline before we officially launch in May. Make your pledge to join the membership program below. Thank you for your support and your stewardship of this amazing community.

    Pledge now