Dupage Policy Journal

Conservative talk show host Dan Proft recently challenged Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin or his Republican backers to appear on his show to defend his record. 

"I know Irvin is too much of a coward," Proft said on Chicago’s Morning Answer. "He's not his own man, so he won't come on this show to address any of what I just said, which is 100 percent true. He'll just allow the professional liars to continue lying on his behalf and the enablers within the Republican Party to continue playing Pontius Pilate — I'm an innocent bystander. You know, I like everybody —That's not good enough.”

Proft argued that “No one is a bystander” but he’s certain that the Aurora mayor will not appear on the show.

"He won't do it," he said. "So maybe some Richard Irvin supporter would like to call in, know a lot of them ... Well, they call in and go toe-to-toe on behalf of Richard Irvin as a surrogate? I doubt it? What are they going to say? What have you heard someone say? I'd love to hear it. I'd love to hear the pitch. Because he's a black guy, he can beat Pritzker? Because he's got Ken Griffin money, he could beat Pritzker? Billionaires are supporting two other candidates in this race. [Do] you think it's going to come down to money? Is that why Pritzker beat Rauner in 2018 because of money? No. Sorry, no, not even close. It's just remarkable to me that this is that Irvin is even competitive in this race, despite the overwhelming resources. And I know this is very early and people — a lot of people don't even realize the primary is June 28 because that's a novelty and they're not tuned in and Easter vacations and so on and so forth. It's two months away, but the fact that Richard Irvin is even being taken seriously by anybody."  

Irvin has the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin who has been a vociferous opponent of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Griffin has threatened to relocate Citadel and its 1,100 employees out of the state, Peoria Standard reported.

"The fact that so many people are willing participants in this fraud should make you sit up and pay attention so it doesn't happen again," Proft said. "It is an uphill climb, as I've said from the beginning. Even in what portends to be a good year is an uphill climb for whoever the nominee is against Pritzker. Make no mistake about it, I certainly don't. But if you're going to play, the ends justify the means game and 'here's my political handicapping,' as opposed to nominating somebody who will present a contrast to Pritzker, who will actually offer Illinois an honest choice. If you don't want to do that, then you don't want to change the trajectory of this state. It is that simple." 

A political action committee run by Proft is behind an ad highlighting Irvin's support for Black Lives Matter. Irvin's quoted in the ad saying, "I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately."  Irvin also supported mask and vaccine mandates handed down by the Pritzker administration. 

One of "Combine Republicans" backing Irvin is House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). Durkin has not only endorsed Irvin's candidacy, but he has also lent the services of his deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman to the campaign, which was unveiled on Jan. 17, according to Prairie State Wire.