Martin still trying to change the status quo

Chicago blogger Andy Martin has run for office numerous times.

But he has never won an office.

"I have a lot of experience running," Martin told the Daily Herald's editorial board Friday. "It is not at all unusual that people who are trying to change the status quo will be rejected by the status quo."

Martin now is running as a Republican in the U.S. Senate primary to replace appointee Roland Burris, a Chicago Democrat who is not seeking election.

Martin has most recently been making a name for himself as a challenger to Obama's legitimacy as a U.S. citizen. He scored an interview on Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity show in which the anchor ran a blistering clip associating Obama with radicals of all stripes based largely on Martin's accusations.

Martin has been tied to allegations that Obama is not a Christian, but a Muslim. And when Martin was interviewed Friday, he said he was in New York to attend a conference questioning Obama's birth certificate and college records.

But Martin also insisted Friday, "I've always been very respectful to President Obama." He added that he wouldn't mind having Obama as a neighbor.

Martin has a public record longer than Obama's political career, including allegations of anti-Semitism and frivolous lawsuit filing. Martin has denied he is anti-Semitic or that he has filed repeated frivolous lawsuits.

Some of Martin's races over the years have included two attempts for president, a 2006 run for governor in the Republican primary and a 2008 run for Senate in the GOP primary. He was kicked off the ballot in the 2004 primary for Senate.

Martin has numerous Web sites claiming expertise and accomplishments in consumer protection, corruption fighting, the environment and investigative journalism.

Martin said Friday his popularity is growing through his online blogs, e-mail newsletters and other direct media platforms, many of which have sought to question Obama's heritage, religion and citizenship.

"We have a great audience of people out there that follow my material," Martin said.

In the 2006 Republican primary for governor, Martin garnered less than 1 percent of the vote in a five-way race. In his Republican primary race for Senate last year, Martin got 34 percent of the vote, coming in second in a three-way race.

This time he is in a six-way race. The other candidates include U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park, Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes, former downstate judge Don Lowery of Golconda, Springfield activist Kathleen Thomas and former Harvey alderman John Arrington.

The primary is Feb. 2.