Longtime Illinois GOP strategist John McGovern, known for ‘impeccable ethics’ and ‘good political gut,’ dies at 48

Chicago Tribune (IL)

July 15--In dealing with the travails of serving as a spokesman and strategist for myriad Illinois Republican candidates, John McGovern stayed true to his beliefs in policy and civility even as public moods about ideology and partisanship shifted.

McGovern, whose work with candidates for state, congressional and U.S. Senate offices spanned decades, died Friday, apparently of heart failure, his family said. He was 48.

Over the years, McGovern's work included time as the state Republican Party's spokesman and executive director. He worked on former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald's initial 1998 bid for the office and Judy Baar Topinka's 2006 governor run. He advised former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert. And McGovern coordinated congressional campaigns for Mark Kirk and Bob Dold on the North Shore, as well as Kirk's 2010 Senate victory.

Through it all, McGovern represented a largely departed form of political civility, supporting moderate beliefs in an already rough-and-tumble business that has evolved as more candidates play to the extremes of each party's base, further polarizing the electorate.

Kirk gave credit to McGovern for his 2000 GOP primary win for Congress that eventually launched him to a term in the U.S. Senate a decade later -- again with McGovern's assistance.

"Impeccable ethics. Always with a basic view that the other side was obviously an opponent in an upcoming election, but not the enemy," Kirk said. "It's very much the opposite of (the President Donald) Trump-kind of politics which is, 'To hell with those guys.' Johnny was very gentle and refined and respectful, intellectual and poised."

Dold, who succeeded Kirk in the North Shore 10th Congressional District, said McGovern's style and smarts made him a sought-after consultant and adviser.

"He was someone that was for the greater good, a fierce advocate, extremely loyal and providing just sage counsel on a regular basis," Dold said.

"People recognized you were going to get a gentleman who knew and understood policy, understood the political ramifications and would give you counsel, even if it (was) the counsel you didn't want to hear. It might not be what you wanted to hear, but he was going to shoot straight," Dold said.

McGovern's death also brought conciliatory messages of sympathy from Democratic strategists reflecting his intellectual depth and personality.

Top former Topinka and party aide Nancy Kimme said McGovern had a natural instinct for politics.

"What hits me the most about (him) is what a good political gut he had," Kimme said. "He didn't have to poll and focus group issues to tell you how they played with the public. He just knew instinctively.

"He was your best advocate or your worst enemy -- but either way he was a fierce competitor. And always the funniest, most engaging person in the room," she said.

The son of a three-term Lake Forest alderman, McGovern earned his undergraduate degree at Princeton University and later a law degree at Northwestern University.

After his work with politicians, McGovern spent seven years at Resolute Consulting, where he advised clients in the health care industry. In 2017 he became a principal in Thurston Group, managing strategic initiatives for the private-equity firm.

Brad Hahn, a former top aide to several Republicans, said he considered McGovern a mentor, serving as "the gold standard for political communications and friendship."

"John was the real deal," Hahn recalled, "and he would roll his eyes at all that and say: 'Go Cubs! Where is the beer guy?'"

McGovern is survived his wife, Wentworth, and sons Caldwell and Watson, as well as a sister, Courtney, and his mother, Karen. He was preceded in death by his father, John.

His funeral is scheduled for at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, 400 E. Westminster Road.

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