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Lisa Madigan announcement a shocker
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In a stunning move, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Wednesday that she will seek a third-term and not, as was widely speculated, run for Governor or U.S. Senate.
Madigan was considered a front runner for either position. Her decision sets off a chain reaction that clears up some of Illinois’ 2010 primary races and could impact the on-going budget impasse in Springfield.
By not running for Governor, it looks like Pat Quinn will run unopposed in his first try as a candidate for Governor. Although Quinn is the current Governor of Illinois, he was elected (twice) to the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Appointed to the top-seat when former Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached in January, Quinn would be venturing into unknown territory as the head of the statewide ticket in the general election. But, Quinn will be able to save his resources until the general election and watch a free-for-all in the Republican primary for the opportunity to face him.
Madigan’s announcement also had a big impact on the GOP governor’s race. Her decision to not run for U.S. Senate reportedly has U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk leaning towards that race. Kirk has been considered a GOP front-runner for either U.S. Senate or Governor.
This would probably pit Kirk against either Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias or Chris Kennedy to replace Illinois’ sitting junior U.S. Senator Roland Burris. Giannoulias is an ally of President Obama and has won state-wide office before, while Kennedy will have coffers full of out-of-state/national money and the family mystique. Any of the three would be too much for the embattled Burris who has negative ties to Blagojevich and fundraising challenges.
The Madigan announcement could also clear up the budget impasse in Springfield. Some political pundits have alleged that Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan was making things difficult for Governor Quinn to paint him as ineffective, if his daughter Lisa decided to run for Governor. That scenario is now moot. The budget impasse may be resolved very quickly so the Democrats can present an un-blemished, united front for the 2010 primaries.
There is still time for a bomb-shell. Would Paul Vallas change his mind again and make a run for Governor? What will Comptroller Dan Hynes do? Who will try to replace Giannoulias? Will the budget impasse still continue through the entire summer, shut-down state government and critically wound the entire Democrat slate?
Lisa Madigan made things clearer. But, the next few months will still be very interesting.
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