Irvin Dodges and Deflects Questions on Abortion, Roe v. Wade While Issue Looms Large

Following last week’s leaked draft SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion rights continue to dominate public conversation nationwide. Just yesterday, Senate Republicans blocked legislation to codify Roe, making governors the last line of defense for protecting abortion rights. But here in Illinois, as Roe hangs in the balance, GOP gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin is silent.

On Monday, in his first press appearance in months, Irvin dodged abortion-related questions left and right. When asked whether he supports a federal abortion ban, he said: “You know, I’m running for governor of the state of Illinois. I’m not talking about what the federal government’s going to do.” And when asked specifically about the leaked draft decision overturning Roe, he said: “I think it’s irresponsible for us to hypothesize and speculate on what the outcome will be.”

Newsflash to Mayor Irvin: Women across Illinois care about reproductive freedom and access to abortion, and their governor should, too.

These are just a few examples of many where Irvin has relied on the trusty duck-and-dodge to get out of tricky situations. Just this week, Irvin skipped an Aurora City Council meeting — ducking out of his job as mayor to avoid the press. What will he dodge next?

“At this critical moment for abortion rights, it’s shameful, but no surprise that Richard Irvin has nothing to say,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “He’s made himself known to voters as a master deflector who dodges every time he’s asked to take a stand — and Illinois voters deserve to know where their leaders stand. Illinoisans deserve better than Richard Irvin.”

###