SPRINGFIELD — The race to replace Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen on the general election ballot could become even more crowded than the original field of six candidates who vied for the office.

Gov. Pat Quinn suggested Monday that anyone interested should speak up.

But the decision will come down to Democrats on the party’s central committee, which could vote in March on a new candidate, if not sooner.

Not surprisingly, some downstate leaders said the new candidate should be from outside of Chicago.

Vermilion County Circuit Clerk Lynn Foster, who represents the 15th Congressional District on the state central committee, said her first choice is to find someone from south of Interstate 80 in order to balance the Chicago-heavy Democratic ticket.

“It needs to be someone from downstate,” Foster said.

Among potential candidates, she pointed to state Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Gifford, as a possibility. She also mentioned Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin as a potential consideration.

In addition, most of the five other candidates who ran for lieutenant governor in the first place could be angling to get appointed to the job.

State Rep. Arthur Turner of Chicago has openly said he’d like the spot, and he’s been backed in the past by powerful Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

State Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan says he’s interested as well. Link argued that the Democratic candidates who ran for the office in the primary should get top consideration from the state party.

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, also wants consideration, saying he won more downstate counties last week than everyone but Cohen.

He notes that with state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and businessman Jason Plummer of Edwardsville, the potential GOP ticket has two downstate candidates.

“We’re loaded up with Chicago people,” Boland said of Democrats’ statewide nominees. “We need a little balance there.”

Boland said that because Quinn has to run with whoever the party selects, he should speak up about who he wants.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, a Collinsville Democrat who represents the 19th Congressional District on the state central committee, agreed.

He said the panel must look to Quinn for leadership on the issue, since the person will have to work closely with the governor on the campaign trail and, if they win, once they are in office.

“Deference should be given to the governor’s choice,” Hoffman said.

But, given that the embattled Cohen announced his decision to quit the ticket very recently, and during the Super Bowl, some party leaders haven’t made up their minds yet.

Cohen was pressured out by party leaders after records alleged he once held a knife to his girlfriend’s throat, used steroids and owed child support payments, among other things.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said he heard that his name has come up as a potential contender. He said he’s not necessarily pursuing the spot, but that he’d seriously consider it if Quinn and party leaders asked him.

“I’m honored and humbled that my name is in the discussion,” Bradley said.

Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi has expressed interest to party officials after narrowly losing his campaign to be state comptroller last week.

Krishnamoorthi, of Hoffman Estates, grew up in Peoria and touted the nearly successful campaign as a reason why he might be a good fit.

“We won a following across the state,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Shirley McCombs of Petersburg, who represents the 18th Congressional District on the state central committee, didn’t name any frontrunners. She said it’s too early to begin making a list of whom she favors.

“My interest is to get the best person we can find,” McCombs said. “We need somebody who can help get the mess straightened out with the budget and the state back on track.”

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