March 24, 2008
Posted: 11:25 AM ET
Kevorkian says he's running for Congress, according to the Associated Press.
Kevorkian says he's running for Congress, according to the Associated Press.

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan (CNN) – Less than a year after he was released on parole from a Michigan prison for second-degree murder, assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian announced Monday he is running for U.S. Congress.

Kevorkian, 79, will challenge Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a Republican who has represented Michigan's 9th District since 1993.

At a lengthy news conference in suburban Detroit, Michigan, Kevorkian — who is still on parole — voiced his strong opposition to the war in Iraq.

"I am justified in saying that the United states is a criminal nation. We're a bull in the china shop," he said. "We have committed a horrendous international crime."

He also said he would push for legalizing marijuana in some instances, but was vague on whether his support of assisted suicide would be a campaign issue.

Kevorkian was released on parole on June 1 after serving more than eight years of a 10- to 25-year sentence at Lakeford Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Jackson, Michigan.

He was convicted of second-degree murder in the 1998 death of Thomas Youk, 52, of Waterford Township, Michigan. Youk suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Updated 11:25 a.m. with CNN Wire copy

–CNN's Bill Kirkos

Filed under: Jack Kevorkian


Tom Swift, Shopton   March 24th, 2008 11:09 am ET

Doesn't his murder conviction make him a felon or something, and not eligible to be congressman?

Zach Smith   March 24th, 2008 11:10 am ET

What is our country coming to, when a convicted murderer is going to run for public office? I am glad I don't live in Michigan.

Gary   March 24th, 2008 11:10 am ET

As someone who understands what its like to die from a very slow and painful death, I'm open to all points of view. As political candidates go, none of the presidential candidates have come up with a better healthcare plan covering terminal illness than Jack's. If I lived in Michigan, he'd get my vote.

Mad Texan   March 24th, 2008 11:16 am ET

I'd eome near to voting for him than OBAMA!!! HILLARY 08

james   March 24th, 2008 11:19 am ET

That just kills me!

Ryan from Indiana   March 24th, 2008 11:28 am ET

This guy kills me!

Seriously though, I am interested in what he has to say.

Bill   March 24th, 2008 11:33 am ET

GoooooOOOOO JAck, Can't be worse than most of the GOP's candidate, and Jack believes in his principals.

Darth Vadik, CA   March 24th, 2008 11:36 am ET

Love the guy, go Jack

Anonymous, Somewhere, MI   March 24th, 2008 11:45 am ET

Enjoy your 8th term Joe K.

Michael "C" in Virginia   March 24th, 2008 11:49 am ET

No one said that politics was an exact science. Kevorkian can only die once in his lifetime . In politics, he will be able to die many times.

Antoine   March 24th, 2008 11:57 am ET

is this guy for real???

Ian   March 24th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

It's a sad day when the 9th most popular story is that the U.S. death toll in Iraq has reached 4000. Seriously, 9th? What a sad day for our service men and women. I'm sure you'll get back to them when you can take your mind off of your wallet again.

Annie   March 24th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Wonder if Richardson will support him?

MJ   March 24th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

The states can disenfranchise felons, but they cannot keep them from running. The Constitution lays out the qualifications for running for the U.S. House as follows:

1. Be at least 25 years old.
2. Have been a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years.
3. At the time of your election, be an inhabitant of the state from which you are elected.

The Supreme Court ruled that states cannot add to this list, which means they can't prohibit felons or even incarcerated inmates from running, but they can prohibit them from voting (that's on a case by case basis).

So, yes, he is a felon, but he can still run for national office.

Angela   March 24th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

Cnn, why don't you investigate whether Mr Kevorkian can even run for public office? Can a convicted felon run for US Representative. Im sure the viewers would love to know. Please CNN, investigate this - I really want to know.

Angela   March 24th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

don't you lose your right to vote if you are convicted of a felony? If so, then I would think that you wouldn't be allowed to run for office either.
Are there any lawyers reading this??? Can this guy actually run for office??

alexvega   March 24th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

Kinda tough constituents to represent, they are either dead or dying.

AJ   March 24th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

If he will go and pay Obama a vist he'll get my vote!!

Hanging Chad   March 24th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

What's next, Charles Manson for California state senate???

Grady Jay   March 24th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Good for him!

deborah   March 24th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Doesn't he have to have his civil rights restored to run for office? As a convicted felon he doesn't currently have the right to vote so how can he run for elected office. Michigan, get your act together.

Lucyna   March 24th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

Leave him alone. If he wants to run, then let him withough supid comments.

AZ Irish   March 24th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

I think it's a little crazy that he's going to run, BUT our system is so messed up as is, why not add a little more crazy to it.

kathleen   March 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Anyone can run for President? Is that how Bush got in?

OBAMA 2008

Rick, Minot, North Dakota   March 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Zach Smith, are you talking about Bush?

gary   March 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Iam sure he is more real than Obama. Where he came from ,his world is reality.You dont play no games and lie to your convict buddies ,like Obama lie's to the whole country.Kev. might just surprise the country.He has nothing to hide from the country like Obama. Go Kev.

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