Richard Irvin’s origin story
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Rick Pearson’s profile of Richard Irvin…
But there is an early example of Irvin trying to be all things to everyone. It came in his successful 2017 run for the nonpartisan position of mayor of Aurora, through a pair of near identically designed mailings — one sent to Democrats and another sent to Republican households.
Each mailer is labeled, “The Choice is Yours” with the words appearing atop a donkey representing Democrats and an elephant representing Republicans.
In the mailer sent to Republicans, an arrow points to the donkey with the words, “Rick Guzman is endorsed by entrenched Chicago Democrats like Dick Durbin.” The arrow pointing to the elephant says, “Richard C. Irvin is endorsed by Local Elected Officials who actually have a stake in Aurora’s future.”
The reverse side touts GOP endorsements he received and says, “The reasons are clear. Richard C. Irvin has a solid conservative record.”
But in the mailer that went to Democrats, the arrow pointing to the elephant warns Guzman, a former mayoral chief of staff, is “endorsed by Tea Party Republicans.” Under the donkey arrow appear the words: “Richard C. Irvin is endorsed by Local Elected Officials who actually have a stake in Aurora’s future.”
On the opposite side, appears a list of Democratic elected officials and groups supporting him for mayor — but there was no mention of his “solid conservative record.”
…Adding… The latest Irvin campaign mailer…
* Also, Irvin has now changed his story from March of 2020, when he claimed he had “spoken” with Gov. Pritzker. Now, he says he spoke to Pritzker’s staff because Pritzker wouldn’t return his calls.
When I asked, the governor’s spokesperson said Pritzker called Irvin around March 12, 2020 to check in and see how it was going in Aurora and to say his office was monitoring the situation and working to keep people safe. Then, I was told, Pritzker called Irin to check in on him in April when Irvin tested positive for the virus. And Pritzker talked to him again around the middle of July. The governor called Irvin again on November 14 and got his voicemail, but Irvin called him back. Pritzker called again on Dec. 10 and got Irvin’s voicemail. More documentation is here.
* But, to be fair, in the spring of 2020 just about everyone was on board the mitigation train. Even Darren Bailey was telling his Facebook followers on March 21 to stay safe...
Please just, just take this serious. I’m, as I compare what we’re doing here in Illinois, and then I watched President Trump with many of his recommendations. We just we really need to take this serious so we don’t get to the point where Italy and other countries are at. […]
We really need to take this serious so we don’t get to the point where italy and other countries are at. […]
And you know, there is reason to be concerned. So I am satisfied with what the governor is doing as we watch what he is suggesting and compare that with what President Trump is doing.
I wanted to ask everyone to please stay home from church tomorrow. If your church is considering having services, please call your pastor and, and talk about it, you know. For the next few weeks, we need to take this serious.
And then in May of 2020, Bailey offered up his own mitigation plan, including for places of worship…
Places of Worship
All staff and worship leaders shall have temperature checks when arriving to work.
Occupancy allowed at 25% capacity ensure not less than six feet distance between attendees
Distancing between family members is at their discretion
Avoid contact with common items (items open to use by all attendees)
Disposable hymn handouts
Avoid physical contact between attendees
No greeters/No physical contact
No Offering Baskets passed among attendees
No waiting area
All surfaces touched by attendees shall be sanitized between each use
Continued Virtual worship is recommended
Self-Contained communion practices are acceptable
Organized dismissal should be implemented
…Adding… Irvin says in the article that his support for mitigations waned over time, but he declared a special day for Dr. Ezike when she was in Aurora this past October for a vaccine event.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 11:42 am:
==Also, Irvin has now changed his story from March of 2020, when he claimed he had “spoken” with Gov. Pritzker. Now, he says he spoke to Pritzker’s staff because Pritzker wouldn’t return his calls.==
What an odd lie. We have video of you guys together, dude.
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 11:50 am:
Irvin might not beat Darren Bailey and he surely won’t beat Pritzker. I’m still puzzled that Griffin has invested $45 million in him.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 11:51 am:
Odd lies, standard lies, lies of omission are SOP for Z, Griff and their puppets.
- vern - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 11:52 am:
The mailer story should put to rest any debate about Richard Irvin’s true principles, which begin and end at “Richard Irvin should be in charge.” He’s a caricature of what a cynic thinks a politician is.
- Rabid - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 11:58 am:
And that’s how he beat madigan
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:05 pm:
Richard Irvin is a weathervane, which ever way the wind blows.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:07 pm:
There is political spin and then there are lies and hypocrisy. Irvin, it seems, is more prolific when it comes to the latter. That makes it impossible for me to vote for him.
It is ok in my book to be a republican and vote for a democrat. We need more of that type of candidate honestly. But, I have never been a single party voter.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:16 pm:
Richard Irvin appears to be a paid in full mouthpiece.
- someonehastosayit - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
===I’m still puzzled that Griffin has invested $45 million in him.===
No better option combined with a burning desire to stay relevant.
- Juice - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
What’s with Griff and Z’s mouthpieces telling lies about what phone calls they did or did not have?
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:20 pm:
If he’s labeled as a hypocrite, does that make him any less of a sell-out? No, I think he’s both. Let his 15 minutes of fame keep ticking away.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:27 pm:
Z and company seem to be struggling with a candidate that has a public record. Should have found another private equity conman to sell.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:29 pm:
Irvin’s origin story would have given even Stan Lee a migraine.
- Baloneymous - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:29 pm:
Greg Hinz tweeted his story last night that Lightfoot should listen to Griffin regarding crime. What, move out of Illinois like he wants to? Griffin backed Rauner with millions who was a horrible Governor. He’s now backing Irvin with mega millions who so far is a horrible candidate. And this post doesn’t do Irvin any favors. He can’t answer simple questions without multiples of ‘let me finish’ or ‘hold on a second’. And he can still win. Amazing.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:30 pm:
Proft is happily pouring salt on Irvin’s campaign because Irvin is expert at twisting himself into a pretzel.
My only regret is that I can’t vote against this guy.
- Pundent - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:32 pm:
=Irvin says in the article that his support for mitigations waned over time=
Well support for his campaign seems to be waning so maybe there’s something there.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:42 pm:
Sounds like Lori Lightfoot isn’t the only African American Mayor in Illinois who can’t get a return call from the Governor.
Maybe the Mayor of the 3rd largest city- Naperville has better luck.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:42 pm:
Well at least Irvin hasn’t changed his approach to politics. Obfuscate, confuse, attack, and stand for nothing. He just wants to win and doesn’t care at what expense re personal integrity.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:42 pm:
Man, LP, you’re really stretching it there
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:44 pm:
If this were an open seat election, they could have run Ichardray Irvinay in the Democratic Primary to cover their bases.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:52 pm:
==Sounds like Lori Lightfoot isn’t the only African American Mayor in Illinois who can’t get a return call from the Governor.==
You’re not fooling anyone, LP. No one thinks you actually believe Irvin’s lies- we just think you’re lying now, too.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:53 pm:
@sirreel =Richard Irvin is a weathervane, which ever way the wind blows=
I would suggest Irvin is more like a wind sock. When the wind isn’t blowing, there’s nothing there.
- Real - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 12:57 pm:
As an African American I would not return calls from Lightfoot or Irvin either… But Pritzker has done way more for African Americans than Rauner or the candidates you support.
- Baloneymous - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:01 pm:
LP you can’t gaslight this group. and the Naperville mayor is white, correct? stay classy dude.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:04 pm:
==== Richard Irvin’s Origin Story ===
Richard Irvin, aka “Harvey Dent,” aka “Two-Face”.
He’s a Prosecutor. And a Child Abuse Defender.
Pro Mask. And anti-mask.
Black Lives Matter. And Blue Lives Matter.
Anti-Trump. And Pro-Trump.
Democrat. And Republican.
Is it too late for Irvin to withdraw from the Primary and run as an Independent?
Probably would have been the wiser move, given who he is.
He sure as heck isn’t a Republicans.
Republicans don’t send out mailers attacking their opponents for being Republican and touting their Democratic endorsements.
The GOP primary is being hijacked by someone who isn’t even Republican enough to be a RINO.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:09 pm:
Going to be an interesting set of debates tonight.
This will an opportunity to see the candidates for the first time for most of us.
As to Irvin Post, I like his life story, but am tired of his Bailey/Sullivan mailer approach. I just don’t see how these mailers move the needle for him.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:11 pm:
I cannot believe how much Irvin lies. There is clear evidence to show he is lying. I guess when you’re bought and paid for then you do what your handler tells you to do.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:12 pm:
==Going to be an interesting set of debates tonight.==
The problem is, it won’t be. Irvin is just on stage with a nut.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:14 pm:
Irvin endeavored to win the Aurora Mayors race; a nonpartisan position. So of course he cast a wide net and sent mailers that would appeal to both parties.
- NotRich - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:17 pm:
On June 29th there is only 1 winner in this R primary. Mike Z!! He walks away with a huge cut of kenny g’s $50 million investment. And the dollar really stretches further in Tennessee.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:20 pm:
==Irvin endeavored to win the Aurora Mayors race; a nonpartisan position. So of course he cast a wide net and sent mailers that would appeal to both parties. ==
You can stop embarrassing yourself, too. Richard Irvin ain’t worth it.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:21 pm:
“waned over time”
Waned is a relative term. There is super-fast waning, as in changing positions the minute Irvin decided to run for governor. Voting Republican in every General, that’s technically true also (just not for the top of the ticket in 2016 and 2020).
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:26 pm:
Don’t know much about candidate Solomon, but former State Senator Paul Schimpf seems like a very accomplished fellow who may be in a position to do well in a debate format.
- Somewhere on the South Side - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:28 pm:
===== But there is an early example of Irvin trying to be all things to everyone.======
Is Pickle involved in this race? Sounds like his M.O.
- Red Ranger - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
Irvin is going to have a real bad 3 weeks following Memorial Day. More people will start to focus on this race with much more intensity and a Chicago press corps that already senses blood in the water will only ratchet up their coverage. The last 48 hours seemingly have been a preview of the intensity of the coverage of Irvin that is to come. For Irvin the narrative is set, hes running a dishonest campaign and hes hiding behind Griffs money. That will be a tough narrative to shake no matter how much money he spends on TV, digital and mail.
- New Day - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:46 pm:
I think we now understand why Griffin put his money behind Irvin. He is a mirror that reflects whatever it needs to for the moment. They figured he was black and would stay on message and apparently didn’t go a very effective vet on him.
I’m reminded of the lyric from Alexander Hamilton, “if you stand for nothing Burr [Richard], what will you fall for?” Irvin stands for nothing.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 1:56 pm:
=You’re not fooling anyone, LP. No one thinks you actually believe Irvin’s lies- we just think you’re lying now, too.=
And maybe a bit of a race-baiter?
And,, the record shows that Pritzker called Irvin many times.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
If Irvin wins the primary, will Bailey’s flock vote for him?
What has Irvin done to endear himself to that neck of the woods. Bruce bought a barn coat, dropped his G’s and rode a Harley. What can Irvin do, especially since (his words) he doesn’t look like the typical Republican?
- wow now - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 2:18 pm:
The two mailers double speak is a good strategy in a local race where you think nobody will notice. For a big state high dollar race like this? It just shows his lack of beliefs.
I understand that Ken G wants a moderate to lead his party, but this guy is not a moderate R. He has a moderately visible spinal structure.
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 2:33 pm:
Someone close to Irvin really needs to sit him down and point out how ridiculous he looks with these contradictions. If he wants to maintain his integrity to himself and the people he is close to, pull the plug on this campaign strategy.
- West side story - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
Guess the know it all folks not that smart.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
==If Irvin wins the primary, will Bailey’s flock vote for him? ==
Most of them, yes. Bailey himself today said he wouldn’t, but partisanship is very powerful.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 3:33 pm:
There’s an Irvin ad on TV: “There’s nothing phony or false about him.” The fact that someone has to say that about Irvin may mean his phony reputation is setting in.
- jackmac - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
ARGH. Irvin’s mailer features that GOP favorite perjorative “Democrat” again — as in the incorrect label “Democrat Party.” Too bad there’s no shorthand equivalent for Republicans. A broad reply describing “extreme right-wing, Trump-loving traitors” is too long to fit on a bumper sticker.
- Lurker - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 5:32 pm:
Isn’t a commercial of the Democrat/donkey mailer pretty simple?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 24, 22 @ 5:43 pm:
===pretty simple? ===
For these guys?