Room For One More Democratic Candidate For Governor

The race for Illinois Governor got even more crowded yesterday with an entry announcement from personal injury lawyer and political newcomer Edmund Scanlan. Scanlan played up his status as political neophyte at a press conference, opening by saying “I've never run for office before, maybe that's a good thing.” He spoke of the history of corruption in Illinois and said that he would work for pension reform, campaign finance reform and run the state “like a private business.”

Scanlan's platform calls for Illinois to adopt the federal regulations which limit personal contributions to $2400. At the press conference he said “The failure of this state to have any limits on campaign contributions is what has lead to the pay-to-play politics that we are all too familiar with.” Regarding pensions, Scanlan wants to eliminate the pension program for new state employees and replace it with a 401K program.

Scanlan labels himself as a conservative Democrat. Of his opponents (Scanlan didn't mention William "Dock" Walls), he said “Governor Quinn and Comptroller Hynes are decent and honorable public servants, but they won't change a thing.” Scanlan grew in the Chicago's Beverly area and currently resides in Oak Park. He has practiced law in Chicago since 1976.