IN TODD WE TRUST: The last of the modern Renaissance Men – Todd Vandermyde

by John Boch

Special Note:  We wrote, and originally published this on February 18th, without consulting with or permission of Mr. Vandermyde.  He asked that we take it down for a period of time so it didn't seem as though he commissioned this story.  He most certainly did not and frankly, I hope he's not unhappy with me for sharing some aspects of his personal life.

There's a reason so many of us in Illinois like to say "In Todd We Trust".

I've come to recognize that Todd Vandermyde, the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action's contract lobbyist in Illinois, is a one of the last modern Renaissance Men.  I'm honored to call him a friend and am eternally grateful glad he's on our side.

Frankly, we should all be eternally grateful for his work in the Illinois General Assembly, herding the wildcats therein to protect and defend our firearm rights in a bright blue state where Democrats have a super-majority in both houses.

When I first met him over twenty years ago, I had mixed emotions about him.   At the time, I was full of idealism and naivete.   I didn't understand much about how things really work in Springfield.  I didn't like what he told me when he tried to educate me, and things went downhill from there.   We had some disagreements and at one point, we didn't care for one another – not one little bit.

I still grudgingly respected who he was and what he did though.  As time went by, I watched in awe how he expertly – bordering on brilliantly – navigated gun owners through minefield after minefield of perennial anti-gun legislation with our side seldom catching so much as a graze.  Year after year he did this.

He's not a college grad that I know of, but he knows more about the law than most lawyers (and legislators…).  Mentally, he's brilliant on strategy and always thinking three steps ahead.  Underestimating his savvy and intelligence is done at one's own detriment.

He managed to stop bills that would have banned semi-autos, full-capacity magazines, and instituted gun rationing and all sorts of other Draconian schemes from then Mayor Daley and his rabidly anti-gun friends.  Sometimes Todd did it by as little as a vote or two.

Back then we had governors like Blagojevich (sentenced to prison), Ryan (sentenced to prison), and Quinn (we'll see) who would have delighted in signing these racist, classist and sexist gun control bills into law if Todd had failed us.

A dozen years ago, Todd and I began working together again, building on our common goals leaving past differences behind.  It's not surprising:  Todd works with everyone, at least until and unless they become so problematic that it's not worth the effort.  All groups, all people, even people who are anti-gun.  Everyone respects Todd and everyone – well almost everyone – likes Todd.

He and I became closer, relying on honesty and a candid give and take between us.  We didn't agree on everything, but every time there was a disagreement on how to proceed, Todd's analysis and recommendation proved spot on – and that I had learning to do.

As we worked together, Guns Save Life became an increasingly valuable asset in Todd's tool box and GSL gained a friend who knew people.  We worked together on an increasing number of issues, projects and activities that shall remain unspoken and unpublicized.  We helped him pass good bills and scuttle bad ones.  We've provided cover for some members of the General Assembly and held an acetylene blowtorch to the feet of others.

Not only did he get us through minefield after minefield without much in the way of a scratch, he also managed to score some wins for us along the way.   Fanny-pack carry, short-barreled rifles, some of the better aspects of our current carry law, no FOID needed for training, carry on private property with permission, the Hale DeMar bill protecting homeowners from technical gun violations after using a gun in self-defense at home, etc.  The list goes on and on.

He kills bills quietly, cajoles support for others and herds the cats under the Capitol dome brilliantly – each and every day the General Assembly is in session.

Today, he's 51-years-old and spends between five and six months each year away from his family, living in a hotel to work to protect and defend our gun rights in Springfield.   Even when he's home with his wife and autistic child, his work never stops.  My wife complains about me taking calls, helping members or dealing with issues at all hours of the day and night.  I think my record number of calls in one day is 28.  That's probably a light day for Todd.

Todd doesn't do it for the money either.  He walked away from a six-figure and change job (with "Cadillac" benefits) at his union office to work for a fraction of that as a contract lobbyist for the NRA – without any benefits.    As a result, he pays $1600 a month in health insurance for his family.  I know that feeling personally.  I took nearly a 50% pay cut to come to work for GSL for twice the hours, giving up benefits like company-paid health insurance.  It hurts and I couldn't imagine doing it with a couple of kids as Todd does – or living away from loved ones nearly half the year.

He doesn't do it for the fame or the access.  "I don't care about taking credit," he's said time and time again.  "It's about protecting our rights for our families and kids for two million Illinoisans."

He recently wrote about gun rights advocacy in Illinois:  "[My choice] is to have all the groups work for the same common goal; all sitting at the table able to have input.  This is about what happens to nearly 2 million gun owners and their families. Always has been. Nothing more, nothing less."

Sounds like a win-win, right?

Todd deserves our gratitude and support for the work he's done, the work he's doing and the work he will do if we work together to support him.  He can accomplish so much more, with less headaches, if we're all working together.

Fair disclosure:  Todd and I have gone from darn near mortal enemies to very close friends.  He was at my wedding a couple of years ago and we have become seamlessly close today in our attitudes on activism, lobbying and promoting freedom in the General Assembly.  It's almost as if I know what he's thinking and he always has a pretty good idea of what I'm thinking.

Having Todd in Springfield allows me to work on other projects to help educate Illinoisans – and people across America – on gun rights, making them smarter and better citizens.  I know we're in good hands thanks to Todd's tireless work.

Todd, if you're reading this, I'm damn glad you're with us, brother.

I think anyone who has been paying close attention on our side probably feels the same way.

Lastly, I don't know that I ever really apologized to him for some of that b.s. twenty years ago, so here it is.   "Todd:  I'm sorry, man.  I was wrong.  You were right."