DECATUR - Macon County Democrats brought in new blood in the election of central committee officers on Wednesday while the Republicans unanimously returned their sitting officers for another two years.

James Underwood of Maroa won election by acclamation as Democratic central committee chairman while James Gresham of Decatur was unopposed for GOP chairman.

Other Democrat officers elected by acclamation were vice chairman, Louise "Wegi" Stewart; secretary, R.C. Smith; treasurer, Roger Walker Jr.; and sergeants-at-arms, Shad Etchason, Annie Williams, Bobbie Mann, Mike Wakeland and Jim Taylor.

Republicans re-elected were vice chairman, Bruce Pillsbury; secretary, Susanna Zimmerman; treasurer, Patricia Cox; and Glen Nordholm as sergeant-at-arms.

Gresham, co-owner of the Lock, Stock & Barrel tavern, said he's excited about the "incredible job" volunteers continue to perform for the party.

He touted the party's Web site, www.macon countygop.com, a "meet the candidates" video and a new office for the GOP Central Committee in Suite 5 of the Colonial Mall, 1355 N. Illinois 48.

"We've got a really active year ahead of us," Gresham said. "We're excited about our candidates; we're excited about our future."

The Democrats' election was not completed without a little commotion. Newly elected Hickory Point Precinct 9 Committeeman Lula Fitzpatrick took umbrage at not having an opportunity to discuss the election process prior to voting.

Fitzpatrick said there seemed to be a lot of disagreement with the past party officers, and she wanted the candidates for office to tell how they would do things differently from their predecessors.

Underwood, chief executive officer for corrections industries in the Illinois Department of Corrections, said he would speak to the future after the balloting.

"We have a lot of work to do with 202 days until the November election," Underwood later told committee members. "We need to update our bylaws and constitution. I have some copies of bylaws from other counties. Our board of directors needs to be expanded to be more inclusive."

Underwood said he will name eight party vice chairmen soon, one from each county board district, one at-large and one from among the committeemen who had the highest voter turnout in the March 19 primary. He said that honor belonged to Gary Van Winkle of Oakley, with 103 votes. He appointed him as vice chairman on the spot.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973. Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.