Chicago City Wire

Activist Jeffrey Carter is questioning the support of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s gubernatorial candidacy by establishment Republicans. 

Some Illinois Republicans are supporting Irvin despite a rejection from other party members, including Irvin's early supporters. 

“I think Irvin was a poor choice,” Carter told Chicago City Wire. “The connected crony capitalist consultants picked him." 

Irvin’s candidacy has taken a hit despite $50 million in campaign funds provided by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. Amid slumping poll numbers, State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) has switched his endorsement from Irvin to downstate entrepreneur Jesse Sullivan. Spain is one of many rumored to be abandoning the Irvin campaign, according to Peoria Standard.

"The true conservative candidates are top of the polls," Carter said. "Darren Bailey and Gary Rabine are the only two choices if you are serious about real reform in Illinois."

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) has grabbed a substantial lead in the polls as the primary season for governor draws to a close, WGLT reported. According to surveys, 32% of respondents said they had voted for Bailey, as opposed to 17% for Irvin. Sullivan garnered 11% of the vote, making him the only other candidate to receive support in the double digits. Businessman Gary Rabine received 7%, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf came in second with 6% of the vote, followed by Max Solomon with 2%.

"The Illinois GOP is feckless," Carter said.

Amid the swift collapse of the Irvin campaign, Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin is said to be trying to shore up support from other candidates he hopes will keep him in power in the party, according to Peoria Standard. Durkin has been relishing GOP primary candidates of his choice with thousands in campaign dollars while insiders report he has objected to others in the party getting involved in down-ballot races.

Durkin’s heavy bet on the Irvin campaign may come back to bite him. Early on in the campaign, he committed his deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman to the Irvin campaign, Prairie State Wire reported. Irvin was outed early on for his long history of support for Democrats and anti-Trump statements and has suffered a string of controversies.

Irvin has been skipping several forums and others in the GOP have been more outspoken over his absence from public appearances. However, Irvin was present in an event put together by Durkin, West Cook News reported.