Sheila Simon Chosen as Quinn’s Running Mate

Sheila Simon has won the Democratic nomination for Illinois lieutenant governor.

Simon had the backing of Gov. Pat Quinn, who praised her public service and also said it was important to have a downstate resident on the Democratic ticket.

The Democratic State Central Committee chose Simon Saturday to fill a vacancy created when the original nominee dropped out amid a scandal over his legal problems.

She defeated Rep. Art Turner, who had finished second in the February primary election.

Turner is black and some Democratic leaders had predicted that rejecting him would sour black voters on the Democratic ticket.

Meanwhile, Republican lieutenant governor nominee Jason Plummer is welcoming Simon to the race

Plummer said Saturday that he hopes for a thoughtful campaign that sticks to the issues -- especially Simon's support for raising income taxes.

The 27-year-old candidate says the Democratic State Central Committee's decision to choose Simon over Turner was an example of arrogance.

Plummer says Gov. Pat Quinn hand-picked his running mate and ignored the voters.