She hasn't formed an exploratory committee yet or announced plans to announce plans, but an e-mail sent to potential supporters throughout the state makes it clear that Lisa Madigan is running for governor.
"While Lisa continues to contemplate her future in public service, please show her your support," the e-mail says, Rich Miller reports on his Capitol Fax Blog. "Send her a clear message right now with a contribution of $25, $50, or $100 and let Lisa know that you support her too!"
Writes Miller: "Doesn’t sound like an attorney general candidate to me."
Madigan can always change her mind, or opt to run for another office, but right now she - or somebody on her behalf - is raising money in preparation for something, and seeing as how the e-mail references a poll that looked at a match-up with Quinn, there is no other conclusion to draw at the moment.
That poll, sponsored by the Service Employees International Union, showed Madigan with a 48-24 lead over Quinn in the city of Chicago, with 28 percent undecided. An early poll like this has limited value, but its portentous that Madigan is raising money off it.
"Madigan had $3.5 million in her campaign account at the end of last year and has since been on a fund-raising tear," Miller previously reported.
If and when she does run, she'll likely be up againt incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn.
Quinn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch over the weekend that he planned to seek election to the post he took over from impeached and ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
His spokeswoman, Marlena Jentz, confirmed that Monday. She said Quinn believes "he is doing a good job and sees no reason not to run."
Jentz emphasized that the Democrat hasn't formally announced, adding that he's focused on the budget crisis and that it calls for governing, not campaigning.
