Democratic State Central Committee picks 2006 slate

The Illinois Democratic Party has decided their 2006 slate, backing incumbants Rod Blagojevich for governor, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White and Comptroller Dan Hynes.

The Central Committee settled on a downstate candidate to fill the only state office currently in Republican control, endorsing Knox County State's Attorney Paul Mangieri, 46, for Treasurer.

Mangieri took nearly 20 minutes to introduce himself, as he makes another attempt at a statewide office. The Galesburg resident began the 2002 election season as a candidate for lieutenant governor, but dropped out to pursue the state Senate seat for the 37th District left open by Republican Carl Hawkinson's bid for lieutenant governor. Mangieri was defeated by Dale Risinger of Peoria by a 53-47 percent margin.

Mangieri said his downstate roots in Abingdon - a town of about 3,500 just south of Galesburg - would bring a key element to his campaign for treasurer.

"It would be my hope that I would serve in the tradition of other great downstaters who have held constitutional offices, individuals such as Adlai Stevenson, Alan Dixon and Paul Simon," he said.

Mangieri, 46, has served as Knox County state's attorney since 1996. He and his wife, Felicia, have 12 children and two grandchildren.

With that many kids, I have no idea how he's had time to do anything else. Perhaps they decided to have a dozen kids so he could practice arguing to a jury at home? I suppose it might explain his drive to launch a campaign which will no doubt ensure that he's rarely, if ever, home.