Irvin Airing New Ads with False or Disputed Claims
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a criminal defense attorney, makes a false claim in a new TV ad promising not to pardon former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is facing federal, not state, criminal charges.
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Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is making false claims in a new TV ad seemingly aimed at influencing low information voters.
Irvin is in front of a green screen photo of the State Capitol with a pair of hedge shears promising to cut “wasteful spending, billions in debt, high property taxes, and out of control crime.” While there are no specifics behind the rhetoric, the end of the spot is what really catches your eye.
“One thing I won’t cut, Mike Madigan’s prison term,” he says. “If he’s convicted, I’m not commuting his sentence.”
Except Michael Madigan is charged in federal court, so the only person that could ever commute or pardon the former speaker is whoever the President of the United States is at the time. No Illinois Governor, Pritzker, Irvin, or on and on would ever have that authority.
It’s a blatant lie meant to prey on low information voters.
“Irvin is the best liar in politics since Bill Clinton,” said a spokesman for GOP rival Gary Rabine.
Irvin’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Another questionable Irvin ad released this week is a direct attack on Springfield-area venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan. Sullivan stumbled out of the gates trying to simplify his civilian service in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012.
Irvin’s new spot essentially gives Irvin the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” treatment.
“It was pretty disgusting what he did,” the ad opens with veteran talking to the camera.
“What Jesse Sullivan did disqualifies him,” says an older gentleman. “He should withdraw from the campaign. I would not vote for Jesse Sullivan for dog catcher.”
Obviously Sullivan wasn’t enlisted, but was often paired for his intelligence missions with active duty soldiers. It seems to be an overreaction to Sullivan’s standing in the race, though we’ve heard Sullivan’s poll numbers have been climbing in recent weeks.
“Voters are quickly learning that there is nothing Richard Irvin won’t say, or his team won’t do, to win this race, except tell the truth,” a spokesperson for the Sullivan campaign said last night. “Richard Irvin’s attack is a lie, a disgraceful political stunt, and an attack on all Illinoisans who have answered the call to public service.”
Irvin’s campaign has alleged both southern Illinois Senator Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and Sullivan are liberals when Irvin has voted Democrat in five of the past six primaries.
But, with the giant financial advantage Irvin has in the race and poll numbers showing he doesn’t have it wrapped up yet, the attacks seem to be getting more intense and more frequent. And, in some cases, less believable.