Alexi Giannoulias: Scott Lee Cohen News 'Deeply Disturbing,' Cohen Should Step Down

Alexi Giannoulias has strong words for Scott Lee Cohen.

Cohen, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, has come under renewed media scrutiny since his unexpected win in Tuesday's primary, and to say it's been ugly would be a serious understatement.

A quick run-down of the allegations: Cohen held a knife to the throat of his prostitute ex-girlfriend. He took anabolic steroids, and in a rage, tried to force sex on his wife. He teased her about getting STDs. He had numerous extramarital affairs. And though he's loaned over $2 million to his own campaign, his wife uncomfortably refused to comment in a Chicago Tonight interview about whether or not he'd made timely alimony and child support payments.

"These revelations are deeply disturbing and there is no place in society let alone public office for this type of behavior," Giannoulias said in a pointed statement calling for Cohen to leave the governor's race.

Giannoulias joins Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, among others in calling for Cohen to step down. Of Cohen's departure, Quinn said, "I think it will happen. Stakes are high."

Durbin simply said, "He's not going to be lieutenant governor."

Behind the scenes, Democratic officials are scrambling to find legal methods to oust Cohen, who has said he won't step down. They're also looking for potential replacements should they succeed in removing him.