CHICAGO (AP/CBS/STMW) - Now that the Democrat's nominee for lieutenant governor has dropped out of the race, the next step is up to the Illinois Democratic Party.
A tearful Scott Lee Cohen stepped down Sunday, saying he didn't want to jeopardize the Democratic Party ticket.
After Cohen won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, word spread that he once was accused of abusing his ex-wife and holding a knife to the throat of an ex-girlfriend. He also admits using steroids in the past.
Gov. Pat Quinn would have been paired with Cohen on the November ticket. Quinn issued a statement Sunday, saying Cohen made the right decision for the people of Illinois. The governor has scheduled a Monday morning news conference to comment further.
Cohen's resignation from the ticket means state party leaders can replace him on the ballot.
Quinn is set to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday on Cohen's withdrawl.
Yesterday, a choked-up Cohen made the announcement to reporters at a Far North Side bar, surrounded by family members, and said he came to his decision after meeting with House Speaker Michael Madigan, who chairs the state's Democratic Party.
He said he was stepping down as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor after his win in last Tuesday's primary because he did not want to jeopardize the Democratic Party ticket.
"This is the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life," he said before choking up with sobs.
The pawn broker and owner of a cleaning supplies company unexpectedly won the nomination Tuesday after funneling much of his own money into his campaign. Since then, it has become widely known that he was accused of abusing his ex-wife and holding a knife to the throat of an ex-girlfriend -- allegations Cohen has denied.
The former girlfriend herself had been charged with prostitution. She issued a statement Saturday through her attorney saying Cohen is unfit to hold public office.
Cohen said the statement did not influence his decision to drop out. He has admitted using steroids in the past but said he is a different person today.
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who would have been paired with Cohen on the November ticket, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and Sen. Dick Durbin all had urged Cohen to leave the race.
"Tonight (Cohen) has made the right decision for the Democratic Party and the people of Illinois," Quinn said in a statement issued Sunday night. "Now we can continue to focus our efforts on putting our economy back on track."
During a meeting with Cohen Friday, Madigan "urged (Cohen) to consider dropping out" of the race, Steve Brown, Madigan's spokesman, said. "He's pleased the gentleman took the advice."
Madigan, as party chairman, will get feedback from Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton, Brown said. The party's State Central Committee will determine the replacement nominee in a vote, he said. There are two committee members per congressional district, and the vote is weighted based on primary-election turnout.
The committee is slated to meet in mid-March but could get together sooner, Brown said.
Cohen thanked Mayor Daley for not piling-on over the weekend when the mayor was asked about whether Cohen should step aside. Daley chided the media for not doing a better job of screening the candidate, but said Cohen won the primary race legitimately.
Copyright 2010 The Associates Press. CBS News and Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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