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
I'd vote for him and send him out on a mission.
Don't we have enough problems with politicians? Do we really need a representative that would happily help to kill us?
IF A CONVICTED FELON, CAN HE EVEN VOTE FOR HIMSELF???
Here is the perfect running mate for Senator Clinton. Standing beside Dr. Death, she will appear softer, warmer, and more empathetic. Yet at the same time, he will give credence to those "if looks could kill" staredowns of her political opponents. Remember, Norris and Stallone only pretended to kill people on television; this guy's got the experience you need when rich Uncle Fred hears the telephone ringing at 3 a.m.
Usually they go from congress to prison, this must be a very unusual step to come from prison and on to congress. Has that ever happened before?
Good for him He would be a good person to have come in and kill off the state of politics as it is today.
GO JACK!!!!!!!!! I think this is great. Here is a man who has been rediculed for nothing his medical entire career. Why do animals have more rights than humans anyway? If I lived in MI he would have my signature and vote!
Sounds fair enough to me, look at the idiots in Congress now – Could he be much worse?
Mr Cafferty
why can't you people see what the hell Barack Obama reallystands for he is not what he portrays to be he has flip flop and noone is even paying any mind to it anyway i'm for Hellary all the way
America,
The best health care in the world (according to most Republicans). I wonder what Michael Moore thinks about this? He's A Michigan resident.
The only running he needs to do is out of a door................
That is crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good for you Jack, I hope you succeed. We need more people like him.
Kevorkian came to my school, UF, to speak. We paid him over 50,000 dollars. He's a loony. That was the biggest waste of money every.
I'd vote for him.
hE LOOKS SHOCKED BY IT TOO ...LOL!
Hillary's VP !!!!!
They make a perfect match!!!!
If Hillary is successful in her underhanded tactics....I would like Kevorkian to be her VP....and practice his craft
Just what the world needs.
Is this how corrupt our government has become? We're now considering letting a convicted murder run for public office. The man should be put away for life or even given the death penalry for the lives he took.
I live in Dallas; sure wish I could vote to support Dr Kevorkian.
Can he even run because of his conviction?
From "Dr. Death" to "Dr. Democracy". He should be able to find a host of new clients among the tottering, sickly old geezers in Congress. Good luck, Jack!!
I'd vote for him if I lived in his district.
...theres got to be some sort of stipulation against him, though, seeing as he is still on parole.
And they say Mccains too old