AURORA, Ill. – Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is joining a growing field of Republicans looking to be the next Governor of Illinois.
Irvin, announcing his campaign in an online video, is like the other Republicans in saying Democrat incumbent JB Pritzker has failed the state.
“Crime is out of control. So is corruption,” said Irvin. “Negligence and incompetence have destroyed our finances. So, taxes go up. People move out, because there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Which, Irvin says, is not true.
Irvin says he grew up in public housing as the child of a single mother, then went on to military service, and later became a prosecutor. He says he is also the great-grandson of a slave.
His running mate is State Representative Avery Bourne, of downstate Raymond, south of Springfield. Bourne was the youngest-ever person elected to the Illinois House.
Irvin is the eighth Republican to announce a run for Illinois Governor.
