Metro East Sun

State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) has joined Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin on the ticket in his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination with Bourne running as his lieutenant governor. 

Irvin and Bourne say they are determined to "restore Illinois and take it back from the corrupt  Pritzker-Madigan machine."

"Proud to be running with this historic team," Bourne tweeted on Jan. 19. "Together, we will work together to reduce crime, fight corruption, and return fiscal responsibility for the people of this great state."

Bourne took office in 2015 and has opposed tax hikes, defunding the police, and has aimed to clean up corruption, according to the Irvin Bourne for Illinois campaign website.

"I became the youngest person to be sworn into the Illinois State legislature in 2015," she tweeted. "I've fought for pro-growth policies to help families and small businesses. I love Illinois, and look forward to working with Richard to revitalize our state."

Irvin and Bourne have been endorsed by former Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson, Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and other Republicans leaders from across the state, their campaign website noted. 

"I'm grateful for so many local, state, and national Republican leaders who care so deeply about Illinois like I do and want to work to make it a better place for all," Bourne wrote in a Jan. 18 tweet. "We're just getting started!"

Bourne said that she learned the value of hard work and leaving places better than she found them by growing up on a farm. 

Other candidates on the Irvin/Bourne slate include Steve Kim for attorney general, John Milhiser for secretary of state, Shannon Trees for controller, and Tom Demmer for treasurer. 

Rep. Demmer (R-Dixon) announced his run for state treasurer earlier this month, the DeKalb Times reported.