More Hints Madigan Will Run For Senate

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 22, 2009 5:20PM

While the Republicans are beginning to sort out their candidates for the 2010 governor's race, the nation's top Democrat is starting to help state Dems sort out who's running for what, including Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Though Madigan has long been rumored as a serious candidate for governor, it seems President Obama is trying to push Madigan into next year's senate race - for the seat Obama once occupied and is now occupied by embattled Sen. Roland Burris - in an attempt to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk. The Sun-Times' Laura Washington has more.

Madigan has been a reluctant Senate candidate. For years she has been eyeing the governor's mansion. Impeccable sources tell me that in that White House meeting, Obama made it clear he wants her to run for the Senate. Now she's carefully pondering a tough quandary.

Two months ago, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was looking golden. The Senate aspirant had raised more than $1 million and was a ubiquitous TV presence. He was known as Obama's cherished basketball compatriot. Now he is contending with the Bright Start college fund scandal and possible stiff challenges from a Madigan and a Kennedy (Chris).

As for Sen. Burris, he remains mum on his future intentions even as it was announced last week he won't face perjury charges for his shady testimony before the Blagojevich impeachment committee earlier this year. [via Beachwood Reporter]