Meet the Board
Drue Mielke
President
Drue is a life-long Quad Citian, born in 1964, a fourth-generation Coal Valleyan, who has a strong commitment and love for Illinois. He feels a strong responsibility to the people who call Rock Island County "home." He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University- Quad Cities.
Drue was elected to the Rock Island County Board in 2012 after serving 5 years on the Coal Valley Village Board. He has committed his county board term to reforming government and ensuring the people have a voice - winning an Attorney General request for review where public speaking was denied.
As a lifelong Republican, Drue believes it is a moral responsibility to participate in political life. In 2018, Mr. Mielke was elected chairman of the Rock Island County GOP. As chairman, he encourages all people to be involved in decisions that affect their community. That includes outreach to Democrats and Independents whose party may no longer be inline with their needs and beliefs. Drue asks people to consider stepping up to serve the public in elected positions in their government. His goals are to seek candidates that are inclusive who will serve our villages and cities, county, and state well by representation that protects the interest of the people.
Ethan Slyder
Vice President
Ethan Slyder moved to Illinois back in 2012 looking for an exciting new change after graduation from Indiana State University where he obtained a degree in communications. He works in the Pharmaceutical industry for one of the top pharmacies in the country.
Ethan was elected in 2020 as the republican committeeman of the 48th Ward of Chicago. Ethan is committed to building strong conservative connections through out the 48th Ward, The City Of Chicago and the entire state of Illinois. He is also the current President of Act For Illinois who fights for national security on a state level.
Ethan was the former president of Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois from 2017-2020 and he is excited to be back in his new role as VP and continue to fight for equality in the Republican Party.