duckworth declines lieutenant governor job

A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was Governor Pat Quinn's top pick for lieutenant governor. Awesome, but this week she made it clear she didn't want the job: Tammy Duckworth turns down Lt. Gov. candidacy.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's first choice for running mate declined the offer Tuesday, with Tammy Duckworth telling the governor she made a commitment to President Barack Obama and the nation's veterans to serve as a top-ranking federal Veterans Affairs official.

Quinn had favored Duckworth to replace the embattled Scott Lee Cohen, who won the Feb. 2 primary for lieutenant governor but resigned the nomination days later following damaging revelations about his personal conduct. Quinn discussed the position with Duckworth during a visit to the National Governors Association meetings in Washington over the weekend.

Duckworth made a commitment to President Obama's administration, and she's going to see it through. Democratic leaders will gather next month to formally select a running mate for Quinn. You can take Tammy's name off the list. More here: Tammy Duckworth Says No To Lieutenant Governor Offer From Quinn.