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.
RaceTracker Wiki: IL-Gov
Given that his only experience is in business, that’s not such a bad place to try to land. While there he could convert his financial experience into political experience. “Businessman” is not such a great resume for Senator or Governor (Mark Warner did it, but he’s about the only one lately), but it’s a pretty good resume for Comptroller or Auditor or Treasurer or that kind of thing.
Hynes is a favorite son of the Machine, such as it is nowadays. Didn’t help him against Obama, of course, but Pat Quinn is no Barack Obama. Given the legislature’s and the machine’s antipathy towards Quinn, I’d suggest you’ll see a lot of establishment power get behind Hynes (unless the Madigans have gamed out a four year plan or something, but I doubt that).
It’s kind of a shame- Hynes would’ve been damn near perfect for Senate (having a lot of Alexi’s strengths, but none of the mini-scandals).
Pat Quinn has been a reformer in Illinois politics for the last 30 years.
Dan Hynes and his father, Thomas, have been members of the Daley Machine for the last 30 years.
Vote for Reform. The establishment can’t wait to get rid of a reformer like Quinn.
And like we don’t have enough of the machine garbage politics.
And of course their answer to everything is to build casinos. A haven for the corruption they support and a boon to their campaign contributors.
If not Quinn, I would take any Kennedy. At least they are outsiders, not tainted by machine trash, nor beholden to anyone….They have plenty of money, no need to be corrupt.