ROCKFORD, Ill., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Saying it was dissatisfied with other choices, the newspaper of Illinois' third-largest city endorsed Green Party candidate Rich Whitney for governor.
"We believe Whitney ... could clean up state government while leading Illinois toward school finance reform, job growth, environmental responsibility and social justice," the Rockford (Ill.) Register-Star said in its endorsement Wednesday.
The newspaper bypassed endorsing Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, under federal investigation for corruption, and Republican challenger Judy Barr-Topinka, whose "main qualification is having a lower indictment potential than the incumbent," the Register-Star said.
Whitney, a Carbondale, Ill., attorney, is a viable candidate, the newspaper said, because of his position on education financing, energy and the state's transportation system. He also did not accept corporate donations, another plus, the newspaper said.
"Some readers will perceive this endorsement as quixotic. We view it as pragmatic," the Register-Star wrote. "This endorsement is our battle cry: Illinois voters deserve better options."
A recent poll showed Whitney had 13 percent support. He needs to pull in at least 5 percent on Tuesday to ensure that Green Party candidates could be on the ballot under the same requirements as Democrats and Republicans.
