SE Illinois News

GOP gubernatorial candidate State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is accusing Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin of hiding while he and other candidates in the June 28 primary have held open forums together.

"Career Democrat Richard Irvin keeps sending out lying attack ads while hiding in the basement," Bailey said on Facebook. "He’s afraid to debate me, and he’s afraid to face the public and let you know where he stands. He is a coward who lacks the courage to beat JB and the integrity to lead Illinois."   

Irvin has barely made any public appearances, having skipped the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum on April 25. Others in the Republican Party have also criticized Irvin for his absence at several events, the Peoria Standard reported.

"Richard Irvin's empty chair on stage Monday will speak volumes to me," Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman said after Irvin refused to participate in the forum. 

Irvin is accused of having "rigged" a Republican primary straw poll in Lake County by busing in unknown senior citizens connected to a political operative, according to the Lake County Gazette.

While Irvin skipped the governor's candidate forum, he will be making an appearance in La Grange on May 7 for a meet-and-greet, the West Cook News reported. The event is being put together by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and the Republican Township organizations from Lyons, Lemont, Orland, Palos and Proviso. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Lyons Township Republican Chairperson Katie Justak at 773-744-1061 or by email at lyonstownshipro@gmail.com.

According to the SE Illinois News, Bailey has been the target of Irvin's campaign mailers claiming he voted for former President Barack Obama. The ads were scorned for their hypocrisy given Irvin’s long voting record, ties to Democrat fundraisers and open support for Black Lives Matter while his city was being looted. 

Bailey is running the gubernatorial race along with other GOP candidates including tech entrepreneur Jesse Sullivan, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, Illinois and Indiana licensed attorney Max Solomon and U.S. Army veterans Cheryl Erickson and Christopher Roper. The primary election will take place on June 28.

"Two Republican candidates for Illinois governor, Keisha Smith and Emily Johnson, were removed from the ballot last week over issues with their nomination petitions," according to The State-Journal Register.