Gov. Pat Quinn backed a measure to keep the state Democratic Party from endorsing primary candidates, but that didn’t stop him from asking Cook County party officials on Friday for their endorsement in his bid for a full term.
Gov. Pat Quinn backed a measure to keep the state Democratic Party from endorsing primary candidates, but that didn’t stop him from asking Cook County party officials on Friday for their endorsement in his bid for a full term. While Quinn sought the backing of leaders from one of the state’s largest voting blocs, challenger Dan Hynes urged party leaders not to endorse a candidate in the governor’s race and leave that choice to voters. "They’re counting on us to say that the Democratic Party stands for openness and transparency, that it is they, not us, who will choose the standard-bearer for our party. To achieve this, we must have an open election for governor," Hynes, the state comptroller, said. Cook County Democratic leaders met Friday in Chicago to slate candidates for the 2010 election in a number of races. Quinn accused Hynes of being disingenuous for asking party leaders not to endorse in the governor’s race. "I tell you where the flip-flop is: My friend the comptroller has been coming before the Cook County Democratic Party and other Democratic parties since he started running for office. He always asks for their support," Quinn said. Quinn said an endorsement from Cook County Democrats is different from state party backing. He supported a provision in a proposed ethics bill that ultimately was vetoed that would have prohibited the state party from slating candidates. In his speech to party leaders, Quinn reminded them about the tough situation he inherited when he became governor in January. Quinn replaced ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich after lawmakers removed Blagojevich from office after his arrest on federal corruption charges. A third candidate, Bill "Dock" Walls, also was seeking support in the Democratic nomination race for governor. Walls previously has run unsuccessfully for Chicago mayor. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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