Pat Quinn Announces a Run for His First Real Term as Governor
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This time around, I want to do it right.
No really you guys. Seriously.
After serving a partial term as governor because his predecessor was -- oh what's the word -- impeached, Pat Quinn, that affable expert at innocuous press appearances, plans to run for a second first term.
Today, Illinois' accidental governor will travel to nine cities around the state to formally declare his candidacy.
Quinn is running ads on TVs across the state, so the announcement that he wants a full-term as governor comes as no surprise. But his constantly morphing political stance is surprising. Quinn, who ran for leuitenant governor as an outsider and a reformer, seems to have embraced the Chicago Machine.
The former lieutenant governor wants to keep the job he inherited when Rod Blagojevich was removed from office by lawmakers in January after being arrested on federal corruption charges. Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty.
Quinn starts his announcement tour in Chicago before heading to Springfield and Cahokia.
Other spots he'll visit downstate are Herrin, West Frankfort, Mt. Vernon, Salem, Mattoon and Tuscola.
Quinn will square off in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary against Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes. Oak Park attorney Ed Scanlan also says he's running.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
Posted Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 - 6:56 AM CST
