While earlier news reports stated that Dan Hynes would not be opposed to running as "Lieutenant" to Pat Quinn's "Governor," both a Hynes spokesman and Quinn himself came forward Monday to say that is just not the case: Hynes wants nothing to do with the Lt. Governor spot.
"The Sun-Times is wrong," Hynes' former campaign manager Mike Rendina told The Capitol Fax Blog. "Dan is not interested in that position."
The Sun-Times reported Monday morning that Hynes was not pursuing the opening but "would consider it if asked."
Aside from Rendina's statement to Capitol Fax, Gov. Quinn spoke of the opening to the Chicago Tribune as well:
Quinn told reporters this morning that he spoke with Hynes today on another topic but the issue of Scott Lee Cohen's withdrawal came up. Hynes said he was not interested in the opening, the governor said.
The scramble to find a replacement for the Lt. Governor nomination continues after Scott Lee Cohen dropped out of the race Sunday night after mounting pressure from state Democrats fearing his background could hurt the ticket.
"It's never easy making those decisions, and I commend him for doing that, for making a decision that puts our state and our party and our country ahead of personal interests," Quinn told the Tribune of Cohen's decision to step down.
Cohen's decision came after a meeting with Democratic Party chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Tribune reports. Madigan told Cohen that if he dropped out now, there was a chance he could salvage a future political career.
As for the Lt. Governor spot, State Rep. Art Turner--who was defeated by Cohen in the Feb. 2 primary--is hoping he gets a shot.
"It continues to be my desire to join this exceptional group of individuals as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and to bring my 30 years of experience to the executive branch as we solve the difficult economic and social challenges that face this great state," Turner said in a statement.
The likelihood of Turner taking over is uncertain, as the Democratic State Central Committee will decide on who should fill the vacancy.