Embattled Democratic Illinois Lt. Gov. Candidate Bows to Pressure, Drops Out of Race
Scott Lee Cohen was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in 2005.
Feb. 8, 2010— -- The embattled Democratic candidate for Illinois lieutenant governor dropped out of the race Sunday because of pressure from party members worried about his 2005 arrest for domestic violence.
Scott Lee Cohen, who won the Democratic primary by 26 percentage points Tuesday, said in an emotional speech Sunday that he did not want to jeopardize the Democratic Party's chances in the election.
"This is the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life," a teary-eyed Cohen said. "For the good of the people of the state of Illinois and the Democratic Party, I will resign."
Cohen made his announcement at a Chicago bar, during Super Bowl half-time, surrounded by his emotional fiance and sons.
"The people who make mistakes in their life should stay focused, go for their dreams," said Cohen, a pawnbroker and owner of a cleaning supply business.
Cohen's dream became a nightmare after his surprise win, when reports emerged that he was arrested and charged in 2005 for domestic battery. Cohen was accused of pushing his girlfriend's head against a wall and holding a knife against her throat. The charges were dropped after she failed to appear in court on the date of the hearing.
Moreover, the girlfriend in question had been arrested for prostitution. Cohen said he was not aware of that charge against her, and that he still does not believe she was a prostitute.
His ex-wife, Debra York-Cohen, accused her former husband of forced sexual attempts, infidelity and steroid use. She even sought an order of protection against him.
Even though York-Cohen stood by his side last week, saying he is a different person now, the pressure on Cohen from the state's Democratic leadership did not wane.
"Tonight, he has made the right decision for the Democratic Party and the people of Illinois," Gov. Pat Quinn, who is running for the governor's seat in November, said in a written statement. "Now we can continue to focus our efforts on putting our economy back on track and working to bring good jobs to Illinois."
