The DeKalb County Democrats elected a more conservative member as party chairman Monday night.

Gene Sparrow, 43, was elected party chairman by a vote of 200-180 over DeKalb resident Lynne Switzky.

Bill Brady, former party chairman and DeKalb attorney, retired after two years. Brady said he resigned because “it’s not a permanent job—I did it for two years. It’s a substantial time commitment and I could only do it for so long.”

Brady said he will continue as the DeKalb sixth precinct committeeman.

Sparrow said he represents the conservative mainstream of Democrats living outside the city of DeKalb.

“The chairmanship has been in DeKalb so long. The party should be open to all interests,” he said. Democrats living in the city of DeKalb have a more liberal philosophy than those living outside the city, he said.

Brady said he does not think there is a split in the DeKalb County Democratic party. “Most people in DeKalb County have similar feelings whether they are Democrats or Republicans … There is no major difference in one type of Democrat and another,” he said.

“We are a product of our environment – middle America,” he said.

As head of the party, Sparrow said it would be “my responsibility to organize and unite the party to beat the Republicans in the fall,” he said.

“It’s a thankless job—if you win, everyone else takes the credit and if you lose, you get the blame,” he said.

Sparrow said he plans to concentrate on local elections, particularly the race for seats on the DeKalb County Board.

“We can’t control what goes on in Washington or Springfield, but we can control what goes on in DeKalb County,” he said.

Sparrow lives in Kirkland and is DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow’s older brother.

Mayor Sparrow said he is happy his brother won. “It’s a refreshing change for the party … he’s worked hard to pay his dues.”