Aide: Ill. atty gen. won't run for gov., Senate

[July 09, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An aide says Illinois' powerful attorney general, Lisa Madigan, has decided not to run for governor or U.S. Senate.

Madigan's political director, Mary Morrissey, says the Chicago Democrat will seek another term as attorney general. Madigan plans to announce her decision at a news conference later Wednesday.

Top Democrats, including President Barack Obama, talked to Madigan about her possibly challenging Sen. Roland Burris for the party's Senate nomination in 2010. Burris was appointed to his seat by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich after federal corruption charges were brought against Blagojevich.

Madigan's decision dramatically changes the landscape of both the Senate and governor races. She would have been a top contender for either office.

[Associated Press]

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