McLean County Times

Gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin has been targeted by the Democratic Governors Association in a new ad campaign that spurred Republicans to accuse Gov. Pritzker of meddling in the Republican primary. 

Last month, the Democratic Governors Association launched an ad campaign against gubernatorial Republican candidate Richard Irvin and his past as a criminal defense attorney when he represented domestic abusers and suspects accused of sexual assault, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Now, Republicans in Illinois are accusing Pritzker of hiding behind the alleged "smear campaign" from the DGA and using it to meddle in the Republican primary. 

"We're here today to discuss Governor Pritzker’s meddling and blatant attempt to hijack the Republican primary by having his allies at the Democratic Governors Association run false ads on Richard Irvin," said state Sen. Sue Rezin at a media conference. "The simple truth is that Pritzker is weak and he knows it. He knows he can't match Richard Irvin’s strong record when it comes to crime and his support of law enforcement."

According to ABC 7 Chicago, Pritzker has contributed more than $3 million since 2017 to the Democratic Governors Association. His most recent contribution of $250,000 came at the end of 2021. The campaign against Irvin is part of a $700,000 ad campaign by the Democratic Governors Association. 

"You wouldn't think JB Pritzker wouldn't need help with advertising," said ABC7 political analyst Laura Washington. "He's got all the money in the world, but he has allies in the Democratic Party that want to see him stay in office. And so they're lending him a hand with these ads. And it gives JB Pritzker the ability to say 'I had nothing to do with it' and to be hands-off."

So far, Pritzker's own ads have maintained a positive and self-promoting stance, according to ABC 7.