WILL COUNTY – A source calling themselves the Will County Republican Chair is calling on Will County Republicans to reject State Rep. Tim Ozinga for Will County GOP chairman and Raquel Mitchell for the district's IL GOP state central committeeman for one reason – they endorsed Richard Irvin in the contentious 2022 IL GOP gubernatorial primary. State Senator Darren Bailey won the IL GOP gubernatorial primary nomination on June 28th.
The call is left over bitterness and anger with Republican Party leadership that rejected the party's base and jumped on board with Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin – partially because of the Griffin money that Irvin was able to pull in.
The group wants accountability for the way the IL GOP primary was handled. They want the voting members of the party to make their unhappiness with the Irvin backers known at this week's county Republican conventions where county chairman, secretary and state central committeemen will be picked for the next four years.
"We all remember watching the negative, vindictive and slanderous campaigning by the Irvin campaign during our Primary, right?" the email says. "PERSONAL attacks were made on our friends and our truly grassroots and conservative candidates."
The email goes on to say, "Not only were these two on the original 60-man sellout list endorsing Democrat Richard Irvin, they were "TEAM IRVIN-BOURNE CO-CHAIRS". Due to their surprising lack of discernment and conservative principles, WE CANNOT support either in their latest endeavors of becoming Will County Republican Central Committee Chairman and State Central Committeeman."
"Yes, they are from our community, and yes, many of us have years of relationship with one or both of them, but this behavior is the problem with the Republican Party. If we support and promote people who have poor judgement to our top leadership positions, what do you think you can expect from the party in the future? There are consequences."
The email goes on to support Rob Enright for Will County Republican Central Committee Chairman, and Larry Smith for State Central Committeeman in 14th district.
