Question of the day
Thursday, Jan 28, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From comments…
With Alexi now in the running for SOS, is it just me or does anyone else think Pat Quinn is actually going to put his hat in the ring for either SOS or another statewide office next year? Since if I recall correctly, he hasn’t sat out a midterm election since about ‘82 or so.
I was talking with somebody about this just yesterday or the day before. Here is Quinn’s off-year statewide track record…
1986: Third place in Democratic primary for treasurer
1990: Won state treasurer’s race
1994: Lost secretary of state’s race to George Ryan
1998: Lost Democratic primary for lieutenant governor to Mary Lou Kearns
2002 and 2006: Won lt. governor’s race
2010: Won governor’s race
2014: Lost governor’s race to Bruce Rauner
2018: Lost attorney general primary to Kwame Raoul
He also lost the 1996 US Senate primary to Dick Durbin.
* The Question: Do you think Pat Quinn will run for statewide office in 2022, and if so what office? Take the poll and then explain your answer either way in comments, please…
polls
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:40 pm:
No.
I think Quinn has learned in the past few years he can get more done more effectively by being on the support and consulting side for a winning candidate, instead of winning the office himself.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:50 pm:
I hope so. We need the levity.
- 10th Ward - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:51 pm:
PQ is the Democratic Ice Cream Man, EXCEPT he wins a LOT more races than Jimbo. I say he runs. SOS? nah, I think a primary opponent to the Tallest state wide office holder?
- Marquee - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:52 pm:
Maybe he’ll push a statewide referendum this time instead of seeking constitutional office
- Responsa - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:59 pm:
No. I think even Quinn (who has often proved not to be so swift in correctly examining the political landscape) probably realizes that his time is past. Hope so, anyway.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 1:59 pm:
Yes. As our gracious host has noted, Pat Quinn love him some patronage. And Secretary of State? With a Merit Commission instead of a Civil Service Commission he could really step up to the trough.
- SpiDem - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:02 pm:
He will run, he will get in late, and he will chose the race where he thinks that his name ID will carry the day against a lesser known candidate or a crowded field.
So — if Mendoza or Frerichs tries to move up for SOS, expect him to aim for lower races. If 4 or more candidates run for SOS — he’ll try to go there.
- JoanP - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
I’m not sure which office, but I think he’ll run. He just can’t help himself.
- facts matter - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:06 pm:
Can you add “PLEASE, GOD NO!” to the options. thanks
- shocked - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:06 pm:
I said yes, because Pat Quinn is just the kind of reformer we need as {insert statewide office here}
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:09 pm:
I don’t think so. He’ll be what, 74? But I guess it beats accosting people with a clipboard.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
Yes.
He loves the publicity, and possibly even the campaigning aspect.
- Just Another Anon - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:11 pm:
From a mathematical perspective, there is a 100% chance. The guy has run for something statewide every four years, like clockwork. Assuming he behaves like cicadas and cycles of the moon, there is a 100% chance that he does so this year.
- Can - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:15 pm:
Yes. If Mendoza runs for SOS, then PQ will run for Comptroller. And when he runs for Comptroller, he will have run for every statewide office. Kinda like hitting for the cycle, but not really.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:24 pm:
He just needs to toss his hat into the ring for Comptroller to complete his statewide bingo card.
- Moist von Lipwig - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:25 pm:
I think he’s focused on petition and referendum, not elective politics.
- Responsa - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:26 pm:
Cicada Quinn. That is brilliant, Just Another Anon. We must early adopt this nickname for him.
- anon2 - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:38 pm:
Given how truly bad Quinn’s successor was as governor, I think it help’s him a bit by comparison. There are progressive accomplishments he can take some credit for. Death penalty, marriage equality, medical marijuana, etc.
- papak - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
yes, he will running for office has been his life. SOS is too enticing a gig having your name on every license
- OneMan - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:52 pm:
I voted no, which when I voted made it 146 to 146. The fact that 6 years out of office a former governor might run for something else, does say something about that former governor.
Said no, because at this point I think he realizes his time has passed and he wouldn’t likely be able to raise much money.
- Rich Hill - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
Yes. No one ever called him Stand Pat, especially involving circulating petitions.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:03 pm:
Who does Quinn think he is? Roland Burris?
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
Will Quinn compete with the perennial candidate Bob Fioretti?
At least there’s the corned beef sandwich at Manny’s for the fundraiser. Best part of the evening.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
He’ll likely run, but even he doesn’t know what office until he circulates different petitions and decides what race he has the best chance in.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
He had yet to run for Comptroller; how about that?
Looks like he also hasn’t run for county board, or county board president, or sheriff, or Congress.
He’ll fill that bingo board some day.
- tomhail - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:13 pm:
I voted No. Once he takes a look around, he will realize he doesn’t want it that bad after all.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:15 pm:
Sure, and why not? I mean, he’s been Governor a couple of times, and he still wants to serve the people of this State. As SOS he doesn’t have to read the political tea leaves every time he makes a decision, or worry about the gubernatorial-level issues. So he’s an old political hand; so’s his current opponent. And I bet the grass gets cut at SOS facilities as well.
- not for nothing - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
Voted no. He’s seen what real competence looks like and knows he is out of his league.
- SAP - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
Vited yes. Pat Quinn was put on this earth to …. run for whatever office seems to be open at the time, I guess
- Third Reading - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
Yes. It is his nature.
- SAP - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:20 pm:
Yes. Pat Quinn was put on this earth to run for office.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
Voted no. 2018 there was a path to AG. 2022… there is no path to anything. Not that that will necessarily stop him. But my guy says no.
- Lurker - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
Yes. Treasurer.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
the ring for Comptroller to complete his statewide bingo card.
The modern Cursus Honorum, but in reverse…..
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
Comptroller, for the bingo.
- Shytown - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:11 pm:
Noooooooooo….please, no.
- Lefty Lefty - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Yes. I’m going with the trend.
- Third Reading - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:16 pm:
When the Illinois Senate stripped Rod Blagojevich of his ability to run for any state office, his lieutenant governor mistook it as an endorsement of his own desire to run for every office in Illinois.
- Lefty Lefty - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:17 pm:
Forgot to guess which position. I bet he thinks he can beat Giannoulias.
- Essential State Employee - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:20 pm:
=because Pat Quinn is just the kind of reformer we need as {insert statewide office here}=
Executive Soy Boy.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:36 pm:
Maybe a run for AG.
Raoul’s ComEd connection and his lack of doing anything about ComEd even after they are indicted and have pleaded guilty could make for a very good campaign issue to run on.
- Roman - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
If he does, it will be for whichever slot has the most candidates.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 5:11 pm:
===…at this point I think he realizes his time has passed and he wouldn’t likely be able to raise much money.===
That’s never stopped him from running before.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 5:24 pm:
An off-year primary election without Pat Quinn would be like a summer without sunshine.
– MrJM
- Essential State Employee - Thursday, Jan 28, 21 @ 7:51 pm:
==He’ll likely run, but even he doesn’t know what office until he circulates different petitions and decides what race he has the best chance in.==
Scott Drury did the same thing 4 years ago. That guy who used to be a federal prosecutor.