Scott Lee Cohen: From obscurity to scrutiny
Scott Lee Cohen is new to Illinois politics, but he is already sending shock waves through the political establishment.
First, Cohen came from out of nowhere to win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Tuesday's election. Now, Gov. Pat Quinn is suggesting he step aside unless he can adequately explain new details being made public about his arrest in 2005 for domestic battery - a charge later dropped.
Details of that case, as well as of his divorce filed the same year, prompted Cohen to publicly respond on Thursday. He said it was a difficult time in his life, that the details were being exaggerated, and that his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend would attest to that. Finally, he added that he would not step out of the race in the November general election, when he will be Quinn's running mate even though they did not run together in the primary.
"I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside," Cohen said.
Later, he called himself a solid addition to Quinn's ticket. "He would be running with the most honest man, the most dedicated person," Cohen said. "It's a strength for the party."
In an evening appearance on "Chicago Tonight" on WTTW-TV Channel 11, Cohen denied that he had ever touched his ex-girlfriend, as was alleged in the domestic battery complaint.
"I raised my voice, she raised her voice, and the next thing I know she's calling the police," he said. Charges were dropped when she failed to make a court appearance.
Joined on TV by his ex-wife, Debra York-Cohen, he admitted using steroids around the time of his 2005 divorce.
"I'm here to support him if I can." York-Cohen said, while also affirming statements she made in the divorce records that Cohen had written threatening messages in lipstick on her mirror and tried to force her to have sex.
"That was who he was then," York-Cohen said. "That is not who he is now."
Cohen, 44, of Chicago, owns a pawnshop on the South Side, commercial and residential buildings, and a green cleaning supply company.
His spokesman said he took over his father's pawnshop when his father died while he was in high school. He got a high-school equivalency diploma, but no college degree.
Cohen has never held elected office, but got into politics after forming an activist group, Rod Must Resign, to get rid of scandal-plagued former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
He spent $2 million on radio and television ads promoting job fairs he held, and beat well-established state Rep. Arthur Turner of Chicago and state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, among others.
"I believe I genuinely have something to offer the people of Illinois," Cohen said.
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<ul class="links">
<li><a href="/story/?id=356753">Quinn hints at replacement for running mate <span class="date">[02/04/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=356595">Arrest raises questions about new Dem. candidate for lt. gov. <span class="date">[02/03/10]</span></a></li>
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