Christopher "CJ" Gallo's Profile

Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. 

President Theodore Roosevelt

CJ began his career in politics on Bruce Rauner’s 2014 campaign for Governor, taking his Junior Year off of college to work as a full-time campaign staff through Election Day. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton, CJ returned to Illinois, serving as Deputy Political Director for Congressman Bob Dold’s 2016 reelection campaign. Following those two races, CJ spent five years in the public affairs field, doing media and public relations for statewide advocacy groups with the goal of making Illinois a better place to live, raise a family, and run a business. 

In 2022, CJ joined the Surus Illinois Team as a Senior Account Manager, working with several State Senate campaigns and three Battle Program counties in Central Illinois. CJ now serves as the State Director of Surus Illinois, leading the growth and improvement of Surus Illinois’ Battle Program for county and township Republican organizations and guides Surus Illinois’ work with various other Republican causes around the state. 

Born and raised in Elmwood Park, CJ attended Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep where he first discovered his passion for politics. CJ now resides in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago and was elected Republican Committeeman for Chicago’s Second Ward.