Scott Lee Cohen, the Democratic candidate for Illinois lieutenant governor, announced last night that he is leaving the race over allegations of domestic violence and drug use.
Speaking to reporters at a Chicago bar during the Super Bowl, Cohen frequently choked up as he made the announcement.
“For the good of the people of the state of Illinois and for the Democratic Party, I will resign,” he said. The Who’s halftime performance can be heard in the background.
“With all my heart, I’m sorry,” Cohen said.
Members of his family, seated around a table, also broke into tears.
Video after the jump.
Cohen was arrested in 2005 for allegedly holding a knife to the throat of his girlfriend, a convicted prostitute. He denied the allegations and charges were dropped when she didn’t show up to court. He has also admitted to steroid abuse, and his ex-wife claimed in divorce proceedings that he had attempted to sexually assault her. He’d also been accused of failing to pay child support, and was the subject of several lawsuits over back taxes, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The local ABC affiliate reported that Cohen had recently met with Michael Madigan, the Illinois House Speaker and head of the Democratic Party. Madigan urged Cohen to drop out, according to the news station.
After his announcement, Cohen’s running mate, Gov. Pat Quinn released his own statement saying Cohen made the right decision. Quinn and several other members of the Democratic Party had publicly called for Cohen to step aside.
