Gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin once again evaded questions over who he voted for in the 2016 presidential race.
The exchange occurred after former state representative and 2016 gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives approached Irvin at the May 18 Downers Grove Township Republican Organization Governor's forum.
“Answer yes or no did you vote for Clinton or Trump because you're accusing –" Ives asked Irvin in a video posted on Rumble as he cut her off.
“I'm Republican," Irvin said in response. "I always vote for Republican people, OK?”
“OK. But did you vote for Trump?” Ives continued. “That's the question because you won't answer it. You accused your opponents of voting for them but you don't say yes.”
Ives had her video app on her phone running during the exchange.
“Richard, c’mon!” Ives said. “How – I mean you're telling – this to other opponents and you won't answer the question you won't answer the question. OK, so that's what you get. I mean, how do you, this is such a dishonest campaign, it's beneath you.”
The video ends with Irvin apparently getting in a car and driving away without answering the question.
Questions regarding Irvin's backing have taken on additional meaning with disclosures that he texted a former employee about his dislike for Trump.
In the leaked texts, Irvin called Trump a "bigot," adding, "I hate Trump, too!" And, "He’s an idiot!!!”
Conservative activists are calling the comments disqualifying.
State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) said the revelation has the chance to undo Irvin’s negative campaigning.
“This revelation can completely destroy all of the negative ads that the campaign has been sending people,” Caulkins told the Macon Reporter.
Irvin, the mayor of Aurora, has a long history of voting for Democrats.
Irvin campaign mailers have claimed leading opponent state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) voted for former president Barack Obama.
Given Irvin's extensive voting record, ties to Democrat fundraisers, and outspoken support for Black Lives Matter when his community was being plundered, the advertisements have been panned.
Mailers in support of Irvin attacked his opponents for allegedly supporting Democrats.
Irvin also questioned opponent and downstate tech entrepreneur Jesse Sullivan's conservative credentials, according to Politico.
Sullivan, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine, Max Solomon and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf have all fallen significantly behind Bailey and Irvin in recent polls.
On June 28, the primary election will be held.
The accusation of running a “dishonest campaign” come after weeks of questionable ethics on behalf of the Irvin campaign.
Prominent Irvin supporter and Republican National Committeeman for Illinois Richard Porter was accused of stuffing the ballot box in favor of Irvin at the Northfield Township Republican Organization endorsement meeting.
Any endorsement was called off after questions arose.
The Irvin campaign is also accused of "rigging" a Republican primary straw poll in Lake County by busing in elderly people related to a political operator.
Alerts Sign-up