Is Lisa Madigan Considering A Mayoral Run?
CHICAGO (CBS) - While she won't issue a direct comment on the matter, a published report says Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is mulling over a possible run for mayor.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported Thursday morning that a "top (Democratic) source" told her the day after statewide elections on Nov. 2, in which Madigan is "expected to be re-elected, "then she "could do anything she wants."
In response, a spokesman for Madigan told Sneed that the attorney general is focusing on her race for reelection, and that "she is in Rockford today campaigning." A direct comment on a possible mayoral run was not issued.
Mayoral candidates have until Nov. 22 to file.
A year ago, many Democratic political heavyweights hoped Madigan would run for the U.S. Senate seat for which Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk are now locked in a tight race.
President Barack Obama met with Madigan and several of his senior advisers back in June of last year. They reportedly discussed the Senate seat, which is now held by Roland Burris.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said at the time denied that the president was taking any part in deciding who will next hold his former Senate seat. But many, including Obama, believed at the time that Madigan was the strongest candidate to retain the U.S. Senate seat for Democrats.
Madigan was also expected by many to take on Gov. Pat Quinn for the Democratic nomination for his office earlier this year.
But Madigan decided to seek neither office, and ran for reelection as Attorney General instead.
