Dan Hynes talking governor's run

[kevsand]

From today's Trib:

Three-term state Comptroller Dan Hynes has told top Democrats that he intends to seek the party's nomination for governor, setting up a February primary challenge to Gov. Pat Quinn, sources familiar with Hynes' conversations said Thursday.

The comptroller starts the race with a major fundraising advantage. Hynes has $3.5 million banked after raising more than $905,000 in the first half of the year. Quinn raised more than $860,000 in that time period but had a little more than $700,000 left.

If Hynes runs for Governor (and I think he probably will), he will almost certainly have the support of Illinois labor, in part because of the long-standing relationship he has developed there, but also because of Quinn's tap dance earlier this year on the pension funds.

Dan's been one of the strongest voices for fiscal sanity over the last decade, and has consistently proven an ability to get cooperation from the legislature when he's needed it.

I was honored to help out as Hynes' point person in Champaign County when he ran for U.S. Senate, and will do whatever I can to help him regardless of which way he goes this year.

[murielm99]

1. Dan is popular in Ogle County.

Too many Illinois legislators ignore us because we are red. He has never done that.

I can remember him attending one of our picnics. At our five-county association unity dinner, he made a point of talking to me after my speech.

I will have to remain officially neutral until after the primary, but many Democrats in my county will be happy to support him.