Tammy Duckworth told Gov. Quinn this morning that she was not interested in being the new Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor nominee. Duckworth, a Veterans Administration official and former Democratic House candidate, had talked to Quinn, who was in Washington this week for the National Governors Conference.
While Quinn would not have the power to appoint Duckworth to the ballot slot vacated by Scott Lee Cohen ‹ that would come from the Democratic State Central Committee ‹ presumably his recommendation of a running mate would have great influence over the committee.
NBC5 broke the news that Duckworth did not want to be in the running, and the Sun-Times confirmed with a close associate of Duckworth that she turned Quinn down because she had ³not completed her mission² working on veterans issues.
STATEMENT FROM TAMMY DUCKWORTH
“While I am honored my name has been mentioned for potential consideration by the Illinois Democratic Central Committee for the Lt. Governor candidate position, I have respectfully requested that my name be removed from consideration. I made a commitment to President Obama and our Nation’s Veterans to serve at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and I want to fulfill my promise before returning home. As an Illinoisan, I’m proud to continue to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard and I know that real work lies ahead as the state recovers economically. Governor Quinn has my full support as he continues to fight hard on behalf of working families across the state.”
First reported by NBC political reporter Mary Ann Ahern who had the scoop on Tammy Duckworth rejecting Quinn’s Lieutenant Governor offer.
First reported by NBC political reporter Mary Ann Ahern who had the scoop on Tammy Duckworth rejecting Quinn’s Lieutenant Governor offer.