Editor's note: Lisa, please think this over...This Shark believes that Illinois needs Lisa Madigan as governor and we stand behind you. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
AG Lisa Madigan to run for re-election, not governor
Attorney General Lisa Madigan seeks reelection, skips governor's race
Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Monday announced she would seek a fourth term in office, ending months of speculation about whether she would seek to challenge Gov. Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary.
The Democratic attorney general cited her father, powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, as a main reason for not seeking the governor's office.
"I considered running for governor because of the need for effective management from that office and the frustration so many of us feel about the current lack of progress on critical issues facing Illinois," Madigan said in a statement. "Ultimately, however, there has always been another consideration that impacts my decision. I feel strongly that the state would not be well served by having a governor and speaker of the House from the same family and have never planned to run for governor if that would be the case. With Speaker Madigan planning to continue in office, I will not run for governor."
The announcement leaves Quinn with one challenger: former White House chief of staff Bill Daley.
Lisa Madigan's decision also comes amid increasing scrutiny over allegations that her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, made patronage demands of former Metra CEO Alex Clifford.
The attorney general brushed aside questions earlier Monday about whether the situation would impact her decision to run, saying the state executive inspector general is looking into the case and would decide "if there are any possible illegalities."
Lisa Madigan was first elected attorney general, the state's chief legal officer, in 2002 in a competitive contest. Since then, however, she has easily defeated her Republican opponents.
Waiting to run for governor likely allows Lisa Madigan to spend another four years in a lower-pressure office while she waits to see how the state's numerous financial problems are resolved. Madigan also has been mentioned as a potential Illinois Supreme Court justice should a Chicago vacancy occur.
mcgarcia@tribune.com
Twitter: @moniquegarcia
rap30@aol.com
Twitter: @rap30
The Democratic attorney general cited her father, powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, as a main reason for not seeking the governor's office.
"I considered running for governor because of the need for effective management from that office and the frustration so many of us feel about the current lack of progress on critical issues facing Illinois," Madigan said in a statement. "Ultimately, however, there has always been another consideration that impacts my decision. I feel strongly that the state would not be well served by having a governor and speaker of the House from the same family and have never planned to run for governor if that would be the case. With Speaker Madigan planning to continue in office, I will not run for governor."
The announcement leaves Quinn with one challenger: former White House chief of staff Bill Daley.
Lisa Madigan's decision also comes amid increasing scrutiny over allegations that her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, made patronage demands of former Metra CEO Alex Clifford.
The attorney general brushed aside questions earlier Monday about whether the situation would impact her decision to run, saying the state executive inspector general is looking into the case and would decide "if there are any possible illegalities."
Lisa Madigan was first elected attorney general, the state's chief legal officer, in 2002 in a competitive contest. Since then, however, she has easily defeated her Republican opponents.
Waiting to run for governor likely allows Lisa Madigan to spend another four years in a lower-pressure office while she waits to see how the state's numerous financial problems are resolved. Madigan also has been mentioned as a potential Illinois Supreme Court justice should a Chicago vacancy occur.
mcgarcia@tribune.com
Twitter: @moniquegarcia
rap30@aol.com
Twitter: @rap30
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