Also on the ballot

The contested down-ballot races in the February 2 primary pit state lawmaker against state lawmaker and include the GOP’s 2006 candidate for governor, who wants to resurrect her political career in a new job.

Thirteen Democratic, Republican and Green Party candidates have filed to run for lieutenant governor, an obscure political outpost from which Pat Quinn ascended to become governor when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was ousted.

The six-way Democratic field for lieutenant governor includes Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago, Sen. Terry Link of Vernon Hills, Rep. Arthur Turner of Chicago and Rep. Michael Boland of East Moline. Other Democrats who have filed for a spot on the ballot include Scott Lee Cohen of Chicago and Thomas Michael Castillo of Elmhurst.

The six-way Republican field for lieutenant governor includes Sen. Matt
Murphy of Palatine and Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole. Others include Don Tracy of Springfield, Jason Plummer of Edwardsville, Randy White Sr. of Hamilton and Dennis Cook of Orland Park.

The Green Party candidate for lieutenant governor is Don Crawford of St. Elmo.

Seven candidates have filed for comptroller, which is being vacated by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Dan Hynes. Among them is former three-term Republican Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka of Riverside, who lost to Rod Blagojevich in the 2006 governor’s race. Other Republicans include Jim Dodge of Orland Park and William Kelly of Chicago. On the Democratic side, Rep. David Miller of Dolton is among three Democrats to file for comptroller. The others are Raja Krishamoorthi of Hoffman Estates and Clinton Krislov of Wilmette.

The Green Party candidate for comptroller is R. Erika Schafer of Chicago.

For treasurer, four candidates have emerged. The lone Republican is Sen. Dan Rutherford of Pontiac. Democratic candidates for the post include former Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, who has served as chief of staff for current Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias; and Justin Oberman of Chicago.

The Green Party entry is Scott Summers of Harvard.

Illinois Issues, January 2010