Sangamon Sun

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan recently noted the dismissal of a challenge of his candidacy to the Illinois Board of Elections.

“As expected, this political gamesmanship has been thoroughly rejected by the Board of Elections," Sullivan said in a press release. "On June 28, we’re expecting the people of Illinois to do the same, by voting for a real change from the same old Illinois politics!”  

The press release stated that the "Illinois Board of Elections officially dismissed a desperate challenge to attempt to force Jesse Sullivan and Kathleen Murphy off of the June 28 ballot."

“They tried using their lawyers and the insider games, and I’m sure there will be more lies and attacks headed our way," Sullivan said. "That’s because we’re actually running to clean up Illinois, and the corrupt insiders are scared — and they should be.“ 

According to the board's ruling, the objector in the Custardo v. Sullivan & Murphy has failed to “present any evidence in support” of his claims.

“On its face, objector’s petition fails to allege enough signatures are invalid to put candidates under the minimum number of signatures needed,” the press release quoted the board's ruling. Sullivan's campaign also noted that according to the board, "the challenge’s 'gamesmanship in these proceedings borders on the frivolous and should not be countenanced.'” 

Political outsider Sullivan along with State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, Max Solomon and Emily Johnson are among the GOP candidates for governor. The primary election will take place on June 28.

Matthew Custardo is the campaign attorney of Rabine.

Sullivan from Menard County, while a first-time candidate is a regular critic of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He previously called out the governor for trying to subvert a lower court’s ruling overturning mask mandates in schools, according to the Sangamon Sun.