Dupage Policy Journal

The Aurora Township Central Committee is refusing to support or acknowledge Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s primary run for governor.

The group noted its many concerns with Irvin’s run:

“Motion before the Aurora Township Central Committee concerning Richard C, Irvin as a Republican Primary Candidate for Governor:”

“The Aurora Township Republican Central Committee will not support or recognize Richard C. Irvin as a Republican Primary Candidate for Governor.”

“As documented by his official Kane County voter record (attached), Richard C. Irvin is not a Republican.  Additionally, he has and continues to financially support Democrat candidates.  Based on his voting record Richard Irvin could not be seated as a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee.”

“We have not heard from Mr. Irvin.  He has not attended any of our meetings.  He has never served as a Republican precinct committeeperson in Aurora and has never been a member of our organization.”

“Mr. Irvin has demonstrated himself to be an Opportunist.  He has often sought the support of people by pretense in order to further his political aspirations.”

“Our organization traditionally does not endorse candidates but we have a proud history of upholding the Illinois Republican Platform and therefore, we refuse to further sit quietly and watch Richard Irvin pretend to be a Republican Primary Candidate for Governor.”

“We sincerely hope that voters will listen to the voice of the people who know Mr. Irvin and have watched him operate for years.”

“Voted upon and passed June 16, 2022, Aurora Township Republican Central Committee.”

The motion comes as Irvin’s candidacy has taken a precipitous drop in polling, with only 17 percent of voters indicating they’d vote for the Aurora mayor.

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) has taken a commanding lead with 32 percent of respondents indicating support for him as the gubernatorial primary season is coming to an end on election day on June 28.

Last week Irvin held a press conference regarding his candidacy in which he was asked if he had promised Nimsh Jani a cabinet seat in exchange for fixing a Lake County straw poll in his favor.

At the straw poll, a group of elderly Indian-Americans were bused in with pre-filled ballots with Irvin and lieutenant governor Avery Bourne’s names pre-selected.

Irvin’s candidacy has been a campaign of blunders.

His historic voting record as a Democrat has dogged him throughout the months-long primary process.

His campaign sent out mailers - some of which were later deemed to be illegal - accusing Bailey and Jesse Sullivan of being Democrats.

Not long afterward leaked texts from a former employee indicated his distaste for former present Donald Trump.

He has also steadfastly refused to answer questions on whether he voted for Trump or not.

Irvin was confronted by former state representative Jeanne Ives - who once mounted a gubernatorial primary campaign herself.

“This is such a dishonest campaign, it's beneath you,” Ives told Irvin as he jumped into a car and drove away.