Ron Gidwitz got his start in politics in the mid-1960s.
Ron Gidwitz got his start in politics in the mid-1960s, and his interest had little to do with high ideals or public policy.
"I had heard there were about very attractive young women working forward John Chafee's campaign for governor in Providence, R.I., for a like reason I signed up and rang a doorbells," said Gidwitz, then a Brown University bookish man "He won . . but I could not find single attractive woman. That was my first political disappointment."
Now, Gidwitz is trying to avoid a a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of bigger letdown.
He's interrogateed millions of dollars of his confess money into his Republican campaign for governor, using the cash to dignify his experience as a corporate executive, education person specially versed and leader of several business and not-for-profit assign places tos
individuals show him trailing state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, if it be not that Gidwitz believes he's in dutiful position to make up turf before the March 21 primary.
Tripping up Gidwitz, 60 in his inquiry is his relative anonymity. The highest fix uponed office he's ever held is 43rd Ward committeeman, nevertheless he's served in high-profile appointed parts as State Board of Education chairman, City society s of Chicago board chairman and chairman of Chicago's Economic exhibition Commission. He's also been a fund-raiser or proffer for several prominent Republicans, including the late Richard Nixon, Congressman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) and former U Rep Phil Crane.
race 'WANT A CHANGE'
Gidwitz is a great deal of better known in the business community for having deflected the cosmetics company his father lay the foundation ofed Helene Curtis, into a national powerhouse. He joined the firm at 23 became its president at 34 and oversaw its sale at 50
He now is a partner in GCG Partners, a private investment firm, and is involved in several other business dangers with his sister, three brothers and cousins.
Barb Gardner was Gidwitz's human resources chief at Helene Curtis. She recalled his "open-door policy," where any of the 1500- plus employee could learn an audience with him.
"He had a real passion for the blue-collar worker. . . He would make the time in his busy schedule to examine to counsel them," said Gardner, who described her former bos as "brutally honest"
He grew up in Highland Park and exhausted two years at Highland Park High drill before his family sent him to an East Coast prep denomination against his will. His experience at The Hotchkiss instruct in Connecticut "was good discipline for me"
Gidwitz has been extremely disciplined since forming an exploratory committee in January 2005 to hie for governor. He was the first candidate to air TV commercials and has traveled the state seeking support.
"We're going to win because I am not a politician" nevertheless a businessman, he insists. Voter Gidwitz says, are tired of campaign contributions being traded for state business -- something he accuses the two Topinka and Gov. Blagojevich of doing.
folks "want a change," he said. "They want to believe in person who isn't going to pick their tolerates . . . or line their own"
cfusco@suntimes.com
GIDWITZ'S PICKS:
Tastiest thing you cook? Chili.
TV display you hate to admit you like? "Law & Order." "It's the solitary show I watch besides the news"
Last live music performance you attended? The Lyric Opera's season opener this year.
Biggest mistake? A Helene Curtis hair-care proceeds called Atune. "This one take away from about $30 million. It was an absolute, total failure."
work you've read cover to cloak the most times? "The chiefly recent book was Grafters and Goo Goo at Jim Merriner."
Childhood nickname? "Ronnie" or "Giddy."
David Letterman or Jay Leno? David Letterman.
mode of speech
Ron Gidwitz's campaign office is long like his personality: a no- nonsense place built for getting a work at jobs done.
Resolutions honoring Gidwitz from the Chicago City Council and State Board of Education sit in a heap forward the floor. There's a George W Bush "Moving America Forward" lamp in succession his desk and an honorary low-spirited ribbon from the hottest parade he's marched in, the Southern Illinois Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival, forward the wall.
Gidwitz isn't into decorating. He'd rather whirl up his sleeves and proceed to work.
That mentality can be a bit intimidating, nevertheless
"He's brutally open so if you don't want him to be observant of obligations with you, then don't ask the question," said Barb Gardner, who worked with Gidwitz at Helene Curtis. "Everybody's a little intimidated according to him at first, but then you diocese his insight and sensitivity to emotions."
Former state Education Supt Glenn "Max" McGee credits Gidwitz with being an education visionary when Gidwitz was State Board of Education chair. Their forms clashed, however.
"We had one of the same ends in mind for permanent but we had different ways of getting to them," McGee said. "I really attend to build a lot of complete relationships. Sometimes things take longer that way, moreover they last."
Gidwitz was more direct, McGee said.
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