Governor's Race Heats Up

The race for Illinois governor continues to take shape as potential candidates roll in, or out.

Governor Pat Quinn said Tuesday the best way to focus on his 2014 campaign was to do his job, a job many are vying for.

His seemingly strongest opponent, Lisa Madigan, announced Monday that she would not challenge him in next year’s Democratic primary. She’s seeking re-election instead.

Madigan’s campaign war chest would have dwarfed that of any potential gubernatorial rivals, but now that she and her $5 million fund has decided not to run, the money game leaves Quinn at the top.

But her announcement sparked another candidate’s interest after Sen. Kwame Raoul was rumored to have an interest in her position as Attorney General, should she run for governor.

“If she’s running for Attorney General I couldn’t see being a candidate for Attorney General,” Raoul said.

And another candidate jumped into the conversation Tuesday.

Tio Hardiman posted on Facebook that he’s considering a run for governor.

“I'm considering a serious run for Governor of the State of Illinois,” the post read. “This will be a major undertaking but I’m up for the challenge.”

The former CeaseFire Illinois leader was arrested in May and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after his wife reported he punched and kicked her. Hardiman has denied the allegations.

The charges and an order of protection were dropped earlier this month after Hardiman's wife said she loves her husband and wants to work on their marriage.

The primary begins in March.