Search for Ill. No. 2 nominee moves online

• Tweet

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Democrats in Illinois say they have begun on open casting call on the Internet in search of a new lieutenant governor candidate.

The Chicago Tribune said Friday the online campaign is oriented toward finding a suitable running mate for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn following the departure of Scott Lee Cohen, who was dropped as Quinn's running mate amid a scandal.

Quinn said the online search will ensure an open process in the hunt for his new running mate in November.

While the online campaign theoretically would allow state Democrats to ensure potential candidates are free of any possible scandals, the final decision on Quinn's running mate will be left to the 38-member Democratic State Central Committee.

The Tribune said for his part, Quinn confirmed his ideal running mate would be "a progressive person. Somebody who understands we can use the power of government, we the people, to make lives better for everyday people."