Lake County Gazette

Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin skipped the 60th annual Lake County Republican Federation Spring Gala Wednesday night, attended by an overflow crowd of more than 500.

Irvin sent his lieutenant governor candidate, 30-year-old State Rep. Avery Bourne, to address the crowd in his absence.

Irvin's primary rivals for the nomination, including State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), former State Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo, entrepreneur Gary Rabine of Bull Valley and investor Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg, attended the event.

The event's keynote speaker was U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who represents Southwest Florida in Congress.

Irvin has been a no-show at most major GOP events this year.

Irvin similarly skipped the Central Illinois Republican Governor Candidate Forum. The event was held on April 25. Some in the GOP ranks have been more vocal about Irvin’s absence in public forums.

Irvin also was not present at the Assyrian GOP forum in Skokie, held May 2. All other GOP candidates were at that forum.

The 69th Annual Spring Gala was held at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.