Scott Lee Cohen
Encyclopedia
Scott Lee Cohen is an American
politician and businessman who won the Democratic Party's
2010 nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
, then withdrew under pressure shortly after the primary following revelations about his personal life and questions about his background. Three months later, Cohen announced he would run as an independent candidate for governor in the 2010 general election
.
shop which he inherited from his father.
In 2009, Cohen founded a citizens group, Rod Must Resign, that urged Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
to resign from office. Blagojevich did not resign and was later impeached.
During the 2010 primary campaign, Cohen campaigned as an entrepreneur and small business owner, based on his ownership of Cohen's Green Cleaning, which he portrayed as a distributor of environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Cohen's campaign stressed his business background and the issue of unemployment
. Cohen created what he called a "Job Resource Center" within his campaign headquarters, claiming to provide services such as preparation for job interviews, and hosted three events in Chicago that he termed job fair
s.
Cohen defeated five opponents in the Democratic primary for the Lieutenant Governor nomination, including state senator Art Turner. Under Illinois law, the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor campaign separately, but then run on a joint ticket. Cohen's win thus earned him the right to run alongside gubernatorial nominee and incumbent Illinois Governor, Patrick Quinn.
six months earlier, and did not believe she was guilty. He also denied holding a knife to her throat. He stated her call to the police was in retaliation for her arrest for trashing his apartment.
after the primary reported that the file of his divorce case contains allegations by his ex-wife of serious incidents that resulted in his then-wife obtaining a temporary order of protection. Those allegations included Cohen attempting to force himself on her sexually, kicking in their garage door, and other fits of rage, which his then wife alleged were the result of his alleged use of anabolic steroid
s, including Winstrol. Cohen admitted use of steroids, but denied the rest. His ex-wife, in a joint appearance on TV in support of Cohen, refused to answer specific questions about charges raised during their divorce, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
and declared that Cohen was not fit to hold office. Cohen defended himself in numerous media appearances, but the furor only grew, with pundits terming it a "nightmare" for the Democratic ticket. Numerous top Illinois Democrats, including Cohen's running mate, incumbent Governor
Pat Quinn
, as well as U.S. Senator
Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan
, and Illinois Treasurer and U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias
, called for Cohen to drop out of the race.
Cohen, who spent over $2 million of his own wealth on the primary contest, responded by declaring that he had no intention of withdrawing. However, subsequent reports indicated that Cohen was seeking a graceful exit from the race, and he announced on February 7, 2010, that he would withdraw. He formally withdrew from the election by a letter dated February 12, 2010, received by the Illinois State Board of Elections
February 16, 2010. He was replaced on the Democratic ticket by Sheila Simon
.
, and to have met with Illinois Democratic Party chair Michael Madigan
privately. In May, 2010, Cohen announced his candidacy for governor. Later that month, he announced that his former campaign staffer, Swilley, would be his running mate.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and businessman who won the Democratic Party's
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
2010 nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is the second highest executive of the State of Illinois. In Illinois, the lieutenant governor and governor run on a joint ticket, and are directly elected by popular vote. Candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the primary from candidates for...
, then withdrew under pressure shortly after the primary following revelations about his personal life and questions about his background. Three months later, Cohen announced he would run as an independent candidate for governor in the 2010 general election
Illinois gubernatorial election, 2010
An election for Governor of Illinois was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, sought and was elected to a full term. Quinn was elected as the Democratic nominee, the Green Party nominee was Rich Whitney, the Republican nominee was State Senator Bill Brady, the...
.
Background
Prior to the 2010 campaign season, Cohen had not run for or held political office and was virtually unknown to voters. Cohen is a millionaire who made most of his money in real estate. He also runs State Jewelry & Loans, a pawnbrokerPawnbroker
A pawnbroker is an individual or business that offers secured loans to people, with items of personal property used as collateral...
shop which he inherited from his father.
In 2009, Cohen founded a citizens group, Rod Must Resign, that urged Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
to resign from office. Blagojevich did not resign and was later impeached.
During the 2010 primary campaign, Cohen campaigned as an entrepreneur and small business owner, based on his ownership of Cohen's Green Cleaning, which he portrayed as a distributor of environmentally friendly cleaning products.
2010 primary election
Political unknown Cohen hired veteran political organizer Baxter Swilley for the primary campaign and spent over $2 million, mainly from his own funds.Cohen's campaign stressed his business background and the issue of unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
. Cohen created what he called a "Job Resource Center" within his campaign headquarters, claiming to provide services such as preparation for job interviews, and hosted three events in Chicago that he termed job fair
Job fair
A job fair is also referred commonly as a career fair or career expo. It is a fair or exposition for employers, recruiters and schools to meet with prospective job seekers. Expos usually include company or organization tables or booths where resumes can be collected and business cards can be...
s.
Cohen defeated five opponents in the Democratic primary for the Lieutenant Governor nomination, including state senator Art Turner. Under Illinois law, the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor campaign separately, but then run on a joint ticket. Cohen's win thus earned him the right to run alongside gubernatorial nominee and incumbent Illinois Governor, Patrick Quinn.
Arrest for domestic abuse of prostitute girlfriend
Shortly after announcing his candidacy, Cohen disclosed a 2005 arrest for domestic abuse involving his girlfriend at the time, Amanda J. Eneman. Eneman had alleged that Cohen had held a knife to her throat. The charges were later dropped. After his nomination, Cohen stated he did not know at the time that Eneman, who worked as a massage therapist, had been arrested for prostitutionProstitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
six months earlier, and did not believe she was guilty. He also denied holding a knife to her throat. He stated her call to the police was in retaliation for her arrest for trashing his apartment.
Ex-wife's allegations of violence, steroid use
The Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
after the primary reported that the file of his divorce case contains allegations by his ex-wife of serious incidents that resulted in his then-wife obtaining a temporary order of protection. Those allegations included Cohen attempting to force himself on her sexually, kicking in their garage door, and other fits of rage, which his then wife alleged were the result of his alleged use of anabolic steroid
Anabolic steroid
Anabolic steroids, technically known as anabolic-androgen steroids or colloquially simply as "steroids", are drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the body. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue ,...
s, including Winstrol. Cohen admitted use of steroids, but denied the rest. His ex-wife, in a joint appearance on TV in support of Cohen, refused to answer specific questions about charges raised during their divorce, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Withdrawal as lieutenant governor candidate
Following Cohen's primary win, the allegations about his tempestuous past relationships, steroid use, and businesses, along with new allegations, all largely ignored during the primary, rapidly became the subject of intense media attention. His ex-girlfriend, Eneman, hired celebrity attorney Gloria AllredGloria Allred
Gloria Rachel Allred is an American lawyer noted for taking high-profile and often controversial cases, particulary those involving the protection of women's rights.-Early life:...
and declared that Cohen was not fit to hold office. Cohen defended himself in numerous media appearances, but the furor only grew, with pundits terming it a "nightmare" for the Democratic ticket. Numerous top Illinois Democrats, including Cohen's running mate, incumbent Governor
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
, as well as U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan
Lisa Madigan
Lisa Madigan has been the 41st Attorney General of the US state of Illinois since 2003, when she became the first female attorney general for Illinois...
, and Illinois Treasurer and U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
, called for Cohen to drop out of the race.
Cohen, who spent over $2 million of his own wealth on the primary contest, responded by declaring that he had no intention of withdrawing. However, subsequent reports indicated that Cohen was seeking a graceful exit from the race, and he announced on February 7, 2010, that he would withdraw. He formally withdrew from the election by a letter dated February 12, 2010, received by the Illinois State Board of Elections
Elections in Illinois
-Election law:In the case of a resignation of a member of the United States House of Representatives, the Governor of Illinois must issue writs of election, and the election must be held within 115 days thereafter.- Statewide elections :...
February 16, 2010. He was replaced on the Democratic ticket by Sheila Simon
Sheila Simon
Sheila J. Simon is an American politician and educator who is the 46th and current Lieutenant Governor of the state of Illinois. She was a Professor of Law at the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Simon is the daughter of former U.S...
.
Candidacy for governor
In April, 2010, Cohen was said to be considering running for the office of Governor in the 2010 election as an independentIndependent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
, and to have met with Illinois Democratic Party chair Michael Madigan
Michael Madigan
Michael J. Madigan is the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois...
privately. In May, 2010, Cohen announced his candidacy for governor. Later that month, he announced that his former campaign staffer, Swilley, would be his running mate.
External links
- Scott Lee Cohen for Lieutenant Governor official campaign website
- Scott Lee Cohen includes interview with Scott Lee Cohen and his ex-wife, Chicago TonightChicago TonightChicago Tonight is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on WTTW in Chicago. Chicago Tonight reports primarily on local news and presents features showcasing local artists and events. The show started in 1984 and for 15 years popular Chicago broadcast journalist John Callaway...
, February 4, 2010 - Primary Election Questionnaire Responses from The Chicago Tribune
- Primary Election Questionnaire Responses from The Chicago Sun-Times
- Primary Election Questionnaire Responses from the IVI-IPO
- Video interview with Avy Meyers on North Town News Magazine
- Scott Lee Cohen News at NBC Chicago