IL-Gov: Dan Hynes to Challenge Quinn in Democratic Primary

[ccharles000]

That's the word on the street, according to the Chicago Tribune:

Three-term state comptroller Dan Hynes has told top Democrats he intends to seek the party's nomination for governor, setting up a February primary challenge to Gov. Pat Quinn, sources familiar with Hynes' conversations said today. <...>

The comptroller starts the race with a major fundraising advantage. Hynes has $3.5 million banked after raising more than $905,000 in the first half of the year. Quinn raised more than $860,000 in that time period but had a little more than $700,000 left.

The sources, who asked not to be identified so as to not pre-empt Hynes' official announcement, said the comptroller discussed his plans to run with leading Illinois Democrats. No timetable was given for Hynes' formal entry into the race, but politicians can begin soliciting signatures for their candidacy petitions on Aug. 4.

You may remember Dan Hynes was one of the also-rans of the 2004 Democratic Senatorial primary, taking nearly 24% of the vote to Barack Obama's 53%. He's been looking to move up the ladder ever since, and was considered a likely AG candidate before Lisa Madigan announced her plans to seek re-election. The Tribune lays out what will likely be the battle lines of this primary:

As the keeper of the state's checkbook, Hynes has become a growing critic of Quinn, noting in late June that the governor had "confused" legislators and the public and inciting "fear and panic" by promoting a "false choice" of either an income-tax hike or cuts in social services.

Hynes said then that Quinn had failed to cut the state budget, a necessary component in trying to gain public support for increasing taxes. Hynes advocated cuts of about $1.2 billion and new casinos, higher cigarette taxes, the closing of some corporate loopholes and broadening the state sales tax to luxury items as a way to raise $1.8 billion.

Earlier this month, Hynes accused Quinn of blocking legislation the comptroller pushed to impose new regulations and tougher criminal penalties for the cemetery industry, an outgrowth of the gruesome discovery of remains and double burials at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip. Instead, Quinn formed a commission to review cemetery regulations.

This promises to be a pretty lively fight. As an afterthought, I wonder how Hynes' decision will affect Chris Kennedy, a man who clearly wants to run for a statewide office in 2010, but one who seems very, very confused about his options.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/5325/ilgov-dan-hynes-to-challenge-quinn-in-democratic-primary

[murielm99]

1. Even though he has not announced officially,

this has not been a secret here. All the state chairmen were asked how we felt about Hynes making a primary challenge. I asked some of the officers in my committee, and got only one negative reaction.

Hynes is a good man, well known in state politics. He is steady and honest. I don't know if he could beat a republican challenger, but then it depends on who it is. The Illinois republicans are in disarray.

I like Hynes, and I appreciate that he does not dismiss or forget my part of the state simply because we cannot get many Democrats elected here. I would be inclined to support him in a primary.

Tuesday I will be attending an event in Rockford where Giannoulias will announce officially his candidacy for the Senate seat Burris holds. I will have a chance to speak to other state and local Democratic leaders to see how they feel about things. Of course, we have our Governor's Day and brunch in August, too. That will be another good time to look and listen.

Things could get interesting here. Thank you Blago, for putting our majority in jeopardy. (Do I need a sarcasm simile here)/

[Catshrink]

2. Vote early, vote often.

Kicking to push the vanity threads further down the page.... really, does everyone need their own thread about Gates? (Just like the Michael Jackson and birther thread explosions?)