Cook County Dems Endorse Raoul Over Quinn For AG

The Cook County Democratic Party made an official endorsement in the crowded primary for Illinois Attorney General Friday, choosing State Sen. Kwame Raoul out of a crowded field of candidates.

Eight people are running for the Democratic nomination to be Illinois’ next Attorney General. The nomination is available, after Attorney General Lisa Madigan said she wouldn’t seek re-election.

Cook County Democratic Party bosses passed over endorsing former Governor Pat Quinn — who only recently announced he wants to be attorney general.

Quinn and other candidates had asked party officials not to endorse and to instead support an open primary or wait until filing ends.

Instead they selected Senator Raoul, a Chicago attorney who took over Barack Obama's seat in the Illinois Senate in 2004.

“I’m not naive that this is the end of the game for me,” said Raoul. “I’ve got to take it to every taxpayer.”

Illinois Republicans were quick to deride the Cook County Democrats' choice. GOP spokesman Aaron DeGroot dismissed Raoul as "just another career politician from Chicago who does (Illinois House Speaker & State Democratic Chairman Michael) Madigan's bidding."

In response to recent claims that sexual harassment in Springfield is pervasive - each of the eight candidates were asked if they’ve ever been accused of sexual harassment.

All eight said no - and the two women running also said they’ve experienced it.

The eight Democratic candidates for Illinois attorney general are Sen. Raoul, former Gov. Quinn, State Rep. Scott Drury, Chicago police oversight director Sharon Fairley, attorney Aaron Goldstein, attorney Renato Mariotti, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, Chicago Park District President Jesse Ruiz.

Urbana attorney Erika Harold is seeking the Republican nomination.