SPRINGFIELD — Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., decided to skip the big Republican gathering at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday even though he will be at the top of the state ticket in 2016.
And his absence was evident at the fair’s “Governor’s Day,” hosted by the GOP for the first time in 12 years with the election of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Supporter Shirley Moore, 71, of Effingham, wore a Kirk shirt and was surprised to learn he was not at the fair.
“He was advertised to be here,” she said.
On Monday night, Kirk’s campaign sent out emails urging Kirk supporters to attend the GOP festivities at the fairgrounds on Wednesday.
Instead of going to the fair, Kirk, a fervent opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, scheduled a meeting with an Israeli government official in his Chicago office in the Kluczynski federal building in the Loop.
Kirk canceled the Springfield trip because the meeting with the Israeli official on Wednesday was the “only time it worked for everyone,” said Kevin Artl, Kirk’s campaign manager.
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A Kirk spokesman said the senator was briefed by Maor Even Khen, head of the Criminal Division of Economic Crimes in Israel’s Ministry of Justice, about the impact of the Iran deal on freeing up frozen Iran funds that may be funneled to Hezbollah and or other terrorist groups.
Republican and Democratic candidates by tradition use the respective state fair days to jazz up activists and meet with party officials and activists from across the state.
GOP party leaders downplayed Kirk’s absence.
Illinois Republican Party chairman Timothy Schneider said Kirk’s decision was made “last-minute” and “business comes first.”
Kirk so far has no March GOP primary challenger, and he is backed by every top elected Republican official, from Rauner on down.
Kirk, a recovering stroke victim, is facing questions about his health. He also has created problems for his campaign with a string of gaffes. Kirk is mustering support and fundraising for a tough general election battle. His seat is one of the top Democratic 2016 targets.
Schneider said the party believes Kirk can win his bid for re-election and isn’t avoiding tough questions.
“If Mark Kirk could have been here, he would have been,” Schneider said.
Artl and Kirk fundraiser Barret Kedzior were in Springfield, organizing for the campaign ahead.
Artl said he “met with county chairs to discuss petition distribution in September and securing regional coordinators and county coordinators for our grass roots efforts around the state.”
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, whose deceased daughter worked for Kirk, was not concerned about Kirk’s absence. “I don’t really read anything into that,” she said.
Contributing: Tina Sfondeles in Springfield. Schlikerman reported from Springfield. Sweet reported from Washington.
