Posted by Rick Pearson and Monique Garcia at 12:30 p.m.; last updated at 3:56 p.m.
An eclectic group of 46 names were unveiled today as the first applicants seeking to be Gov. Pat Quinn’s second banana in the state Democratic Party’s open casting call for the lieutenant governor nomination.
The applicants range from Patrick Arbor, the former chairman of the Chicago Board of Trade, to Bob Arya, a television reporter-turned-adviser to disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Others include Dean Koldenhoven, the former Palos Heights mayor and father-in-law of former governor candidate Paul Vallas; former suburban schools superintendent Patrick Patt; as well as a biochemical engineer at Argonne National Lab and a college student who interned with Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th.
One applicant, asked to describe any previous experience in elected office, responded: “Nope.”
The application asks why the potential candidate is a Democrat. “Who said I was?” answered one applicant. Said another, “I am a democrat out of the necessity of the job requirement.”
Another would-be running mate said Democratic leaders should have asked candidates about possible weaknesses. “While I don’t view it as a weakness, many would see my sexual orientation as a problem,” said the applicant, according to the application posted on the Democrats’ Web site.
Arbor is a major Democratic fundraiser and donor who sits on several boards of directors, including First Chicago Bank and Trust, and was a former Harwood Heights mayor, according to his resume. Since 1994, federal and state campaign finance records show he’s contributed more than $136,000 to candidates, primarily to Democrats.
His contributions include more than $24,000 to Dorothy Brown for her initial 2000 run for Cook County circuit clerk, $18,000 to Blagojevich and $15,000 to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, records show.
Asked in his application to list his strengths, the response from Arbor posted on the state Democratic Party’s Web site said: “(G)overnance, banking, business and political experience. In addition, I am experienced in balancing budgets, advising and running business’s. (sic) Of course, my record is impeccable and I have a good reputation.”
Arya, a former CLTV reporter and anchor, joined Blagojevich’s administration in November 2006. A copy of Arya’s resume posed at ildems.com touted him as an "intrepid, intelligent, hard-working, respected and reliable political advisor with strong journalism background and outstanding communication skills." He listed his work as a senior adviser to the governor of Illinois but didn’t name Blagojevich.
So far, none of the candidates who lost the Feb. 2 primary to ill-fated pawnbroker Scott Lee Cohen have yet surfaced. Cohen dropped the nomination amid controversy about disclosures involving his personal life.
Today is the first day Democrats started listing applicants; chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan has said the applicants will be reviewed by the Democratic State Central Committee, which will make the ultimate decision on Quinn’s November running mate.