Pat Quinn

Pat Quinn is the Democratic governor of Illinois who assumed the position when Rod Blagojevich was removed from office on January 29, 2009.http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/2350B2CC902716628625754D006FDE91?OpenDocument Quinn ran for reelection for the Governor's position in the midterm elections of November 2010. The Associated Press has projected Quinn as the winner in the close race. Quinn's lead at the time of the AP project was around 20,000 votes over opponent Bill Brady.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021857-503544.html

Pat Quinn was elected to the position of lieutenant governor of Illinois in November 2002.http://www.votequinn.com//ref> Quinn became Illinois' governor when the Illinois Senate voted to remove Blagojevich.<ref>http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/2350B2CC902716628625754D006FDE91?OpenDocument Quinn started his duties as Governor facing the issue of what to do with the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama. Before he was impeached, Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's vacant seat. Quinn called for Burris' resignation, stating it would be a "heroic act" if he were to step down. According to reports, Burris said he had "no plans to resign" from office.http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/burris.governor/index.html

Pat Quinn faced Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes in the Democratic Primary during the 2010 midterm elections. Hynes conceded as the vote lead by Quinn grew on election night.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35197401/

In the November election, Quinn's Republican opponent was Republican Bill Brady. The two candidates debated leading up to the election and engaged in a number of negative campaign issues attacking each other's previous actions relating to employment issues and budgets.http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/2010/10/21/illinois_pat_quinn_bill_brady_2771.php

Rod Blagojevich was arrested on December 9, 2008, and charged with corruption. After that, the Illinois Senate voted to impeach Blagojevich. On January 29, 2009, Blagojevich was found guilty of abuse of power in a Senate trial. He was removed from power. Blagojevich will also be tried in a criminal court.

Quinn had distanced himself from Blagojevich and after the arrest, he called for Blagojevich to resign.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjbdvT7rxLo

• YouTube Video: Impeaching Blagojevich (Time: 6:35)