Sangamon Sun

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan’s campaign has released a “fact check” in the wake of comments by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin questioning Sullivan’s service in Afghanistan. 

Irvin is a hopeful in the GOP race but has been the butt of harsh criticism for holding Democrat beliefs and having a strong voting record in favor of Democrats. 

“[Sullivan] says that he wore, you know, he served in uniform. C’mon. We all know what that means,” the Sullivan campaign quoted Irvin as saying. 

Sullivan said Irvin did not stop there with the lies. 

"[Sullivan] advocates and supports open borders. That means he doesn’t really want there to be a United States,” Irvin allegedly said, according to Sullivan's campaign.

A group of veterans, led by State Rep. Brad Swanson (R-Woodhull), a retired lieutenant colonel, wrote an open letter slamming Irvin over such comments. 

"As fellow Illinoisans, as veterans and as public servants, we are repulsed by the recent television ad attacking Jesse Sullivan, aired by Richard Irvin’s gubernatorial campaign," the letter says, the Prairie State Wire reported. "Irvin’s shameful use of veterans to dismiss a good man’s public service is a disgrace. This kind of conduct is beneath any person seeking to lead our great state. We hereby call on candidate Richard Irvin to pull his dishonest and shameful advertisement immediately. We also call on him to apologize to all the families who had loved ones killed or injured serving as civilians and military alike in combat operations."

Swanson also wrote that "every veteran who served in combat served alongside Department of Defense civilians." 

Sullivan, 37, is a native of Menard County. He is a first-time candidate for the gubernatorial seat, according to the Sangamon Sun.

He is part of a crowded group of contenders for the June 28 primary, including State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), Irvin, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine and Max Solomon.