Peoria Standard

Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman is calling out Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a GOP candidate for governor, over missing the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum. 

“I imagine everyone received one of these in the mail recently,” Ackerman said on Facebook linking to an Irvin-linked mailer in which GOP gubernatorial candidate State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is dressed in an “ I Love Biden” shirt and Jesse Sullivan is dressed in an “I Love Obama” shirt. “I have remained quiet concerning the Republican Governor Candidates, wanting to wait and hear what they have to say and the plans they are proposing. And regardless of the results of the Primary, I believe all of them are better than what we have in the Governor's Office today. That said, the Tazewell County, Illinois Republican Party together with the Peoria County and Woodford County Republican Party will be hosting a Gubernatorial Debate this Monday at Five Points Washington. I will be attending to listen to the proposals they have to fix the State of Illinois. Here is a link to the event on Monday: Governor Candidate Forum." 

The Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum will be held at Five Points Washington, today at 7 p.m. Irvin has refused to attend and debate other Republican candidates. Only Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Jesse Sullivan, and Max Solomon are expected to attend the event according to the organizers.

“Everyone will be there. EVERYONE BUT RICHARD IRVIN," Ackerman continued his Facebook post. "Even after the event date was changed to fit his calendar, he refused the invitation to attend. Even after myself and leadership of the local Republican Party met with him and strongly recommended he attend, he refused." 

Ackerman opined he'd rather see Irvin in Central Illinois, "on stage with the other Republican Candidates for Governor of Illinois, talking with us and convincing us why they are the best candidate for the position," instead of "sitting in Aurora and mailing these attacks ads out against his opponents."

"Richard Irvin's empty chair on stage Monday will speak volumes to me.” Ackerman said on Friday.

Early polling showed State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) leading the GOP field. He referred to Irvin as a "career Democrat" because of his Democrat voting record. "I suspect career Democrat Richard Irvin will be very popular among the establishment and weak-kneed Republicans who voted with Madigan and Pritzker to raise your taxes," Bailey commented when Irvin announced he will be running in the gubernatorial race.

In a recent advertisement, Irvin got harsh criticism for his earlier backing of BLM. "I strongly and passionately support Black Lives Matter," Irvin responded to a question regarding BLM. "Irvin’s support for Black Lives Matter — in his own words, just one year ago, after five years of what Black Lives Matter has wrought on America — disqualifies him," conservative radio talk show host Dan Proft said.