Democratic candidate irks rivals with campaign spending ideas
Chicago businessman Scott Cohen says he will spend up to $3 million of his own fortune on his Democratic race for lieutenant governor.
But Cohen also argues others should be allowed to raise and spend only $100,000 in their pursuit of the post.
Cohen, facing five other opponents in the primary for lieutenant governor, revealed his spending plans at a Daily Herald editorial board interview Monday.
He was quickly rebuked by the three other candidates in attendance: state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, Elmhurst electrician Thomas Castillo and state Rep. Mike Boland of East Moline.
"I'm not even going to come close to that," said Link, a veteran Lake County lawmaker. "That is ludicrous for an office of this size."
The disparity between what Cohen is going to spend of his own money and what he calls for in campaign finance limits is a systemic issue raised by those suspect of such reforms. Under U.S. Supreme Court decisions lawmakers cannot limit what candidates spend from their own bank account, but they can cap how much candidates raise from other individual sources.
Cohen, who runs a company selling environmentally friendly cleaning products, defended his spending to other candidates, saying "I'm not buying the election. I'm putting my money where my mouth is."
The lieutenant governor's position has no official authority. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the incumbent state executive is ousted, resigns or is incapacitated, as was illustrated by Pat Quinn's rise upon Rod Blagojevich's ouster in January.
Boland said of Cohen's spending, "Donate the money to charity or something."
Cohen responded, "When elected I can do more for the people than just donate to some charity."
Two other Democrats are running for the lieutenant governor post: state Rep. Art Turner of Chicago and state Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago. They are scheduled to meet with the Daily Herald editorial board in the coming days.
The winner of the Feb. 2 Democratic primary will appear on the general election ballot with the winner of the primary for governor.