by
Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 12,
2008
Detroit,
MI (LifeNews.com) -- Convicted murderer and assisted suicide crusader
Jack Kevorkian plans to run for Congress from his hometown in the Detroit
area. The former pathologist has admitted to killing more than 130 people,
including the televised death of Thomas Youk netted him a 25-year prison
sentence.
Kevorkian told the Oakland Press on Wednesday he plans to run as an independent for Michigan's 9th Congressional district.
"We need some honesty and sincerity instead of corrupt government in Washington," Kevorkian said.
"I plan to" run as an independent, he said. "I wouldn't do this otherwise."
The Press indicated Kevorkian picked up petitions on Tuesday from the Oakland County Clerk's Office to get voters to sign to qualify him for the ballot.
"Everything's in a formative stage," he said, adding he would expand on his plans next week.
Oakland County Prosecutor Dave Gorcyca, the prosecutor who sent Kevorkian to prison, told the newspaper he thinks the campaign is a "publicity stunt."
"It's probably more of a publicity stunt. To call attention to himself is standard protocol for Jack when he doesn't have the limelight focused on him. I would not consider his candidacy to be a legitimate one," he said.
Should Kevorkian make the bid official by gathering the necessary 3,000 signatures, he would face pro-life Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a Republican who strongly opposes both abortion and euthanasia.
Democrats have targeted Knollenberg and Kevorkian's candidacy may have the effect of peeling some Democratic votes away from the party's eventual nominee.
During his race, Kevorkian will have to watch what he says because the terms of his parole, after serving just seven years of the sentence, prohibit him from advising people how to kill themselves. His parole officer will be monitoring the content of his speeches.
Michigan
law doesn't prevent ex-convicts from running for office or from voting
as is the case in some other states. However, Kevorkian is still on
parole terms until June 2009.
