Kevorkian to run for office
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/12/art.kevorkian.gi.jpg caption="Kevorkian is planning a bid for Congress."](CNN) - Jack Kevorkian, the assisted suicide advocate currently on parole from prison, is planning a run for Congress, a Detroit newspaper reported Wednesday.
According to the Oakland Press, Kevorkian is planning to mount an independent bid in Michigan's 9th District seat currently occupied by Republican Joe Knollenberg.
"We need some honesty and sincerity instead of corrupt government in Washington," Kevorkian told the paper. He also said his plans are in the "formative stage" and he would make a formal announcement next week.
Nate Bailey, a spokesman for Knollenberg, told CNN "the congressman is working on turning Michigan’s economy around and bringing jobs to Oakland County...He’s focused on working for the people of Oakland County, not on politics."
The one-time pathologist needs to gather 3,000 signatures in order to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.
Kevorkian has said he has helped well over 100 people die during the 1990s. In 1998, he was formally convicted on second degree homicide for assisting in the death of Thomas Youk, who suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease.
He was released from prison on parole in June.
Oakland County Prosecutor Dave Gorcyca, who was responsible for sending Kevorkian to jail, told the paper he thinks the candidacy is merely a "publicity stunt."
CNN has been unable to get a comment from Kevorkian.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Is this a joke?
Make McCain your running mate.
I would vote for Kevorkian before OBAMA so go ahead and run, if HILLARY is off the ticket many will go over to him before OBAMA. If NOT we will go to the MCCAIN TRAIN.
OBAMA is not an option!
If I were one of his political opponents, I would be REALLY careful about being caught alone with him.
I'd vote for him in a second. Way to go Jack..!
I thought a convicted felon couldn't vote let alone run for office.
Isn't 2nd degree homicide a felony?
This guy would 'kill em' at the polls!!!
Seriously... he will rack up numbers to die for when the votes are counted.
I hope he knows he can't vote for himself!!!! Maybe Obama can help him get elected.... That would be some real change in Washington right...
I can't decide if this is awesome... or crazy... either way I wanna see what happens!
To destroy who's vote?????????????
Oh, Great, from Prison to the White House Congress.
The Republican party? Oh, my gosh another egotistical
asinine in Congress.
Vote Democrat if you want to keep your entitilements, your
job, your minimum wage, your Medicaid, Medicare.
Mr, Republican Pres. runner. is using our tax money for
a trip with trader Lieberman and Linsay Graham, to fly
about the country. Their destinations are London, Paris,
and Jeruselem. Folks, he said he would not be going
to Iraq..............because he did not want the security to
quard him, when they should be guarding our people.
Yes, but poor, poor excuse.
OBAMA 2008 From Professional Retired w/woman for
Obama from DAY 1.
Can he even vote?
Can he run with a criminal record?
wouldn't that make him a felon?
is there any law that says felons can't run for an office?
The new Surgeon General for Hillary's Universal Health Plan.
ohhhhhhhh my, well this is a democracy........................
Go for it Doc. People should have the right to determine how and when they will die without the naysaying of a bunch of misguided, but well meaning moralists. I guess they would rather prolong a life lived in pain than going on to heaven Go figure.
I wouldn't consider voting for him, but then the same goes for Hillary or Ferraro.
Please let us know when/if the petition campaign begins. Will you have to be a resident of Michigan to sign?
This is a joke, right?...The guy looks older than McCain – and that's the least of the counts against him...Whether you agree with his philosophy or not, he's been convicted for murder...Don't we have enough law breakers in politics?...Now we're taking recruits?
Is he promising "HOPE", or "CHANGE"
"YES WE CAN"!
I thought convicted felons couldn't vote or hold office??? Might want to check that out.
Go, Jack, Go! If you were in our state, we'd support you all the way. We see you as a hero!
How can he run for office if he served jail time? Did not think one would be able to. Just the same as a person has to be natural born citizen to run for office. ??
Whose going to reject and denounce his endorsement. Maybe he could be the next superdelegate.
Great idea register as a democrat join the Clinton campaign and pronounce it as dead.