BULL VALLEY – The primary is more than a year away, but McHenry County sheriff hopeful Bill Prim stepped up his campaigning Monday with a fundraiser featuring former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Gingrich and his wife, Callista, attended the $500-a-ticket event at the Bull Valley Country Club, with Gingrich delivering a speech about 25 minutes long to a crowd of about 80 people.

“We think you have a great candidate for sheriff, one who will really modernize the county, who will bring ... integrity and modern policing techniques to the sheriff’s office,” Gingrich said. “So we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be here.”