Hynes concedes Dem. governor primary race in Ill.
"Political Contests"02/04/2010
CHICAGO (AP) - Comptroller Dan Hynes conceded defeat Thursday in the Illinois Democratic primary for governor, often choking with emotion as he thanked his supporters and promised to help Gov. Pat Quinn win in November.
Hynes dismissed the strife of the primary campaign as "a spirited discussion about our future" and said he had called to congratulate Quinn.
"I'm supporting him because I believe that our shared values and his basic decency is what Illinois needs, especially compared to what's being suggested or offered by the Republican Party at this time," Hynes said.
But Hynes made statements and highlighted Quinn weaknesses during the campaign that Republicans are likely to seize upon in the general election.
He ran an ad featuring old footage of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington saying that hiring Quinn as city budget director had been his biggest political mistake. He attacked Quinn's income tax proposal as an assault on working families who can't afford to pay more. And he questioned Quinn's basic competence over a prison early release program that Hynes said had endangered public safety.
Hynes trailed Quinn by a few thousand votes Tuesday night and initially refused to bow out. As more ballots were counted, Quinn's lead grew until it became clear Hynes had no chance of closing the gap.
With the Democratic race decided, the spotlight remained on the Republicans, who also have been waiting for a primary winner to emerge in the governor's race. State Sen. Bill Brady led by just a few hundred votes over Sen. Kirk Dillard, and the race could wind up going to a recount.
Republicans hope to capture the governor's office, as well as President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat, by exploiting Democratic turmoil. Illinois faces the largest budget deficit in its history, and Quinn became governor only because his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, was impeached after being arrested on federal corruption charges, including the allegation that he tried to sell an appointment to Obama's seat.
Now Quinn is trying to win a full term in office on his own merits.
Hynes' effort to deny the nomination to an incumbent governor was a longshot. Polls initially showed him trailing badly. He managed to pull even through relentless criticism of Quinn's policies and management, including The Associated Press's disclosure that the Quinn administration was quietly granting early release to some violent prisoners.
The race became a dead heat, and Quinn responded by accusing Hynes of intentionally ignoring the desecration of human remains at a historic cemetery. Quinn and his allies said Hynes was callous and lacked human decency, even suggesting his actions were racist.
Hynes sighed and took a long moment to compose himself before beginning his concession statement. He had to stop in the middle while talking about his wife and children.
The 42-year-old gave up the chance to seek a fourth term as state comptroller when he decided to run for governor. He said he does not see another political campaign in his future.