Scott Lee Cohen Wants To Run For Governor, Quinn Not Concerned

After some speculation, it turns out embattled former lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen did meet with Illinois Democratic Party chair Michael Madigan this week--and is planning to run for governor as an independent.

Gov. Pat Quinn responded to the news Tuesday, telling reporters if Cohen can get the signatures, he should go for it.

"If you can get the signatures - and it's a healthy number - you can do whatever you want," Quinn told the Daily Herald. "The people decide."

Quinn added that he ran into Cohen at a recent White Sox game, where Cohen hinted he would be running.

"He told me to get ready for a big surprise," Quinn said, according to the Pantagraph. "I guess that's it, huh?"

The Daily Herald reports that Madigan met with Cohen Saturday. Cohen reportedly told Madigan he will run for governor as an independent.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Madigan told Cohen he'd be supporting the Democratic ticket.

Cohen won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in February, but dropped out days later after allegations of domestic violence, forcible sex and steroid abuse surfaced.

If Cohen does want to run, he has until June 21 to file a petition with 25,000 signatures to make it on the November ballot.

As of Wednesday, ScottLeeCohen.com carries a "Coming Soon" banner.

Comments

[Bude]

08:33 AM on 04/26/2010

Considering what the other guys are offering, he's got my vote.

[Hallywood]

05:15 AM on 04/26/2010

Johhn Ridgeway, must say well said, everyone does make mistakes, and the people, are just judging
Scott., Remember all the good he has done held job-fairs and created jobs!!!, y'all are only looking at the
negativity!!!! I will get him plenty of Signatures!!! he used his own monies for his Campaign, he worked
hard, and won, but as we know the pressure was on, We all learn and grow from our mistakes , give the guy a break he won by tons, as he will with the up-coming election, i have faith and believe he will win
again, and will make a great Governor , of the stat of Illonois!!! We the people must continue by helping/
and voting for Scott lee Cohen, He definitively HAS MY VOTE!!!!!

[OneConservative]

09:09 PM on 04/25/2010

I love it. I hop Cohen really does make a run. Cohen is not a legit candidate at this point but he could siphon some votes away from Pat "I want to raise taxes" Quinn.

[Bude]

08:35 AM on 04/26/2010

So you want, "I'll solve the $13 billion deficit by cutting taxes" Brady?

Good thinking.

[John Ridgway]

02:21 PM on 04/25/2010

People redeem themselves all the time. Who is to say who will not be a great fighter for the people? I vote for issues, not politicians. I will listen to him and judge him by what he does now. People really do often radically change the proverbial book of their lives. I pray Mr. Cohen has defeated his personal demons. And if he has, and now wishes to be a public servant, he has that right -- I hate the kind of litmus test that politicians are put through. Too many good people are left out of office because of some transgression in their past. Good people actually learn from their mistakes. I will certainly sign the petition to get him on the Ballot, because that is democracy. We need a third party, system, anyways.

[John Ridgway]

02:30 PM on 04/25/2010

Sorry for the grammar wipe out... I meant to write, 'we need a three party system -- at least, anyways.'

[gwilder]

04:50 PM on 04/21/2010

I could never vote for someone like this with his shady background. He has been vetted, and failed.

[Dominik Kot]

07:24 PM on 04/21/2010

Did you vote for Blago? Are you planning to vote for Alexi?

[VOTER]

03:47 PM on 04/25/2010

Kudos to you for your steadfast belief in the Green Party.

IMO, a third party vote is a vote for the GOP.
Can't do it.

Also, unlike you from reading several of your previous posts,
you have no faith in Obama. While I disagree with him on
some issues, I still believe he is a good & intelligent man
worthy of being President. He has my support, as do
Democrats supporting him.