* Sheila Simon has put together a video for the Democratic state central committee as they ponder whom to pick for lt. governor. Have a look…
Simon has not yet submitted her former application to the state party, or the party hasn’t yet posted it. Rep. Art Turner told me yesterday that he’ll file his application today.
A criminal defense attorney who represented former Cicero Town President Betty Loren-Maltese has joined the growing list of Democrats who want to succeed Scott Lee Cohen as the party’s lieutenant governor candidate.
Another 25 political newcomers submitted their names to the state Democratic Party, bringing the total to 69. Two potential candidates who submitted their names already have dropped out of consideration.
Among the names posted today at ildems.com is Leonard Goodman, who represented Loren-Maltese during the appeals process following her conviction on racketeering, conspiracy and fraud charges.
Another would-be running mate for Quinn is a 25-year-old from Chicago who says one of his strengths is that he “did not vote for Rod Blagojevich in 2006.”
Given their lack of political experience, applicants were creative in describing what strengths they would add to the Democratic ticket. One suburban Chicago man listed his ” Jamaican wife and three kids” among his strengths, while a self-professed independent listed his “ability to create an organization of farmers, hunters and wizards that will zoom with innovative solutions.”
As of Wednesday, two Springfield-area residents were among the more than 70 people who applied online to become the Democratic nominee for Illinois lieutenant governor.
They are:
Daniel Hoffman Sr., 70, of Springfield. Hoffman said in his online application that he is a Native American who used to work for the Sangamon County sheriff.
“I think I would make a good candidate for lieutenant governor because I have never been a person to kiss butt and have always put the American people first,” he wrote.
– Shannon Kelly, 38, of Williamsville. Kelly is a correctional officer at Logan Correctional Center and has been active in his union there. On his application, he wrote that good promotion of the state’s history will continue to spur tourism, and he called President Obama, who announced for the office in Springfield, the state’s greatest public relations asset.
* While they’re at it, maybe the central committee can convince Quinn to listen to his bodyguards…
Sneed hears State Police are suffering from a case of the jitters over Gov. Quinn’s driving habits.
• Explanation: Contrary to his predecessors, Quinn either drives himself or insists on being driven by his trusty aide/sidekick, Lou Bertuca.
• Translation: “The troopers are worried” said a police source. “They are in a tail car, but not in the front seat.”
• Upshot: The governor insists on a certain amount of independence . . . and feels he gets a lot of work done traveling with Bertuca, who is also entrusted with Quinn’s ancient briefcase, “Betsy.”
