Governor’s Arrest Throws Senate Seat Into More Turmoil

Susan Davis reports on politics. The Tuesday arrest of Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has put the open Illinois Senate seat in further turmoil as Democratic leaders seek to make sure Blagojevich plays no further role in filling it. Blagojevich has been accused of pay-to-play tactics, including in his effort to appoint a person to the Senate seat previously held by President-elect Barack Obama . Congressional and state general assembly leaders have called for a special election, and Obama today called for Blagojevich to resign. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan also said she is prepared to invoke obscure Illinois state law to force Blagojevich out if he won’t go willingly. There is no shortage of Democratic candidates, but emerging unscathed from the Blagojevich scandal could prove difficult. According to multiple reports , Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. today was identified today as “Senate Candidate 5” in Tuesday’s complaint . The document states that “Senate ... (link)