Illinois Republicans try to sidestep Trump factor at state fair while acknowledging strategy shift needed on abortion

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Republicans spent their day at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday largely sidestepping the effect Donald Trump presidential nomination might have on efforts to rejuvenate the moribund political organization in a state controlled by Democrats. Party leaders also acknowledged that abortion rights, which motivated Democratic voters — particularly women in the once GOP-rich suburbs — and led to election successes last year, will remain a critical 2024 election-year issue that they will have to try to counter. “Why change a winning strategy?” Demetra DeMonte, the state’s Republ...