Illinois gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin (Pictured right) and Lt. Gov. candidate Avery Bourne | Twitter/Richard Irvin & Avery Bourne For Illinois
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin (Pictured right) and Lt. Gov. candidate Avery Bourne | Twitter/Richard Irvin & Avery Bourne For Illinois
The McLean County Republican Party is highlighting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's involvement in the GOP gubernatorial primary after linked groups began running ads against Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.
“The Illinois Republican party is calling out Gov. J.B. Pritzker following a new television ad attacking gubernatorial candidate and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin,” the McLean County Republican Party said on Facebook. “The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is running television ads that criticize Irvin’s time as a defense attorney, and the fact that he represented criminals in court. Irvin served as a defense attorney before he became a prosecutor. 'Tell Mayor Richard Irvin: Stop pretending to be tough on crime,' a voice says in the ad. ‘Start supporting policies that keep people safe.’”
Irvin is also not mentioned as a participant in the upcoming Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum, which will take place at Five Points Washington. The organizer's announcement of the event is that the candidates who will be attending the forum are Sen. Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Jesse Sullivan and Max Solomon.
Conservatives have criticized Irvin's campaign, referring to his previous Democratic Party backing. He has also received criticism from Bailey.
"I suspect career Democrat Richard Irvin will be very popular among the establishment and weak-kneed Republicans who voted with Madigan and Pritzker to raise your taxes," Bailey said when Irvin entered the gubernatorial race.
Irvin's running mate for lieutenant governor, State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Pawnee), could be a thorn in his side, according to SE Illinois News. Bourne cursed at Bailey in May 2020 for refusing to wear a mask on the Senate floor.
"Through fake tears she screamed at the entire House Republican Caucus to just 'wear our masks,' screaming specifically at me 'just put on your ***king mask,’" Bailey wrote of the incident.
Irvin and Bourne have been dubbed "Madigan's favorite Republicans" for supporting Pritzker's COVID-19 regulations.
Believing in Irvin's character and leadership, billionaire Ken Griffin has endorsed Irvin's campaign. Jim Durkin, the minority leader in the Illinois House of Representatives, has also endorsed Irvin.
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