IG Hoffman says he's "independent voice" for U.S. Senate
UPDATE 2:24 p.m. by Dan Mihalopoulos: Hoffman says he is "independent voice" for Senate; hires political firm founded by longtime Daley strategist.
In his first public comments since resigning his post today, former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman said he left City Hall to run a reform-themed campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.
"The reason I decided to leave and to run is people really want a truly independent voice who is going to fight for accountability and stand up for them," he told the Tribune.
Hoffman said his campaign would "offer a choice for people who care about reform."
In his first bid for office, Hoffman has hired the political consulting firm founded by longtime Daley strategist David Axelrod, who also helped guide President Barack Obama to the White House. Axelrod recently left the firm, now known as AKP&D Message and Media, to become a top White House aide.
Hoffman said he hasn't had any conversations with Axelrod about his plans. He said he did not think his use of Axelrod's former firm would undermine his anti-establishment message.
"I am someone who cares passionately about the importance of independence," he said. "I would not have signed on [with AKPD] if I thought it would compromise that."
UPDATE 11:50 a.m. Mayor Daley wishes Hoffman well.UPDATE 11:29 a.m.
Posted by Dan Mihalopoulos at 11:04 a.m.
Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman said today he is resigning his watchdog role to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Hoffman told the Chicago Tribune that he is resigning officially today and told Mayor Richard Daley of his decision on Tuesday. He declined further comment.
Hoffman, a former federal prosecutor, has targeted City Hall hiring practices and criticized the mayor's controversial parking meter lease deal in his first term as the city's top internal investigator. While those efforts have put him at odds with the Daley administration, the mayor has said he would reappoint Hoffman in September if he wanted another four-year term.
Daley today reiterated his support for a second term, but confirmed that Hoffman told him Tuesday he was leaving.
"He decided to leave that office and run for the Senate," Daley said. Asked if he felt it was like removing a thorn, Daley said no.
"We had a great relationship," Daley said.
The mayor declined to endorse Hoffman's bid, saying there were other good people running and likely would be more. Asked if he would give Hoffman any advice on his candidacy, he said "Go out and talk to the public."
Daley said top Hoffman aide Mary Hodge will serve as acting inspector general until he appoints a permanent replacement. He did not say if he has anyone in mind.
Hoffman joins a small Democratic field to replace U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich after the governor was charged with trying to sell the seat left vacant by the election of President Barack Obama. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is running, and Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson has said she plans to run.
Sources said Hoffman had considered a run for Illinois attorney general, but dropped those plans after powerful incumbent Lisa Madigan announced that she would seek another term in that post.
Probes involving the inspector general's office have yielded 47 criminal cases in the last two years, including a dozen convictions from a joint federal-city probe of corruption in building and zoning regulation.
Hoffman has ramped up his attacks on the Daley administration in recent months. The high-profile critiques, including his office's report on the lease of the city parking meter system, sparked grumbling from Daley aides that Hoffman merely was seeking attention to position himself for a political run.
Hoffman blasted the parking meter deal, saying the process for approving the $1.15 billion deal was too quick and officials had not fully considered whether it made financial sense for the city.
Daley and his top aides immediately fired back at Hoffman. They suggested that Hoffman had overstepped the bounds of his job, which traditionally did not entail anything more than targeting corruption at City Hall.
Asked at the time if he had appointed Hoffman to judge his policies, the mayor tersely replied, "Today, everybody can do anything they want, I guess."
Hoffman also was a member of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's reform commission, which recommended broad changes to state ethics laws in the wake of Blagojevich's corruption arrest and ouster.
UPDATE 2:24 p.m. by Dan Mihalopoulos: Hoffman says he is "independent voice" for Senate; hires political firm founded by longtime Daley strategist.
In his first public comments since resigning his post today, former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman said he left City Hall to run a reform-themed campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.
"The reason I decided to leave and to run is people really want a truly independent voice who is going to fight for accountability and stand up for them," he told the Tribune.
Hoffman said his campaign would "offer a choice for people who care about reform."
In his first bid for office, Hoffman has hired the political consulting firm founded by longtime Daley strategist David Axelrod, who also helped guide President Barack Obama to the White House. Axelrod recently left the firm, now known as AKP&D Message and Media, to become a top White House aide.
Hoffman said he hasn't had any conversations with Axelrod about his plans. He said he did not think his use of Axelrod's former firm would undermine his anti-establishment message.
"I am someone who cares passionately about the importance of independence," he said. "I would not have signed on [with AKPD] if I thought it would compromise that."
UPDATE 11:50 a.m. Mayor Daley wishes Hoffman well.UPDATE 11:29 a.m.
Posted by Dan Mihalopoulos at 11:04 a.m.
Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman said today he is resigning his watchdog role to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Hoffman told the Chicago Tribune that he is resigning officially today and told Mayor Richard Daley of his decision on Tuesday. He declined further comment.
Hoffman, a former federal prosecutor, has targeted City Hall hiring practices and criticized the mayor's controversial parking meter lease deal in his first term as the city's top internal investigator. While those efforts have put him at odds with the Daley administration, the mayor has said he would reappoint Hoffman in September if he wanted another four-year term.
Daley today reiterated his support for a second term, but confirmed that Hoffman told him Tuesday he was leaving.
"He decided to leave that office and run for the Senate," Daley said. Asked if he felt it was like removing a thorn, Daley said no.
"We had a great relationship," Daley said.
The mayor declined to endorse Hoffman's bid, saying there were other good people running and likely would be more. Asked if he would give Hoffman any advice on his candidacy, he said "Go out and talk to the public."
Daley said top Hoffman aide Mary Hodge will serve as acting inspector general until he appoints a permanent replacement. He did not say if he has anyone in mind.
Hoffman joins a small Democratic field to replace U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich after the governor was charged with trying to sell the seat left vacant by the election of President Barack Obama. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is running, and Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson has said she plans to run.
Sources said Hoffman had considered a run for Illinois attorney general, but dropped those plans after powerful incumbent Lisa Madigan announced that she would seek another term in that post.
Probes involving the inspector general's office have yielded 47 criminal cases in the last two years, including a dozen convictions from a joint federal-city probe of corruption in building and zoning regulation.
Hoffman has ramped up his attacks on the Daley administration in recent months. The high-profile critiques, including his office's report on the lease of the city parking meter system, sparked grumbling from Daley aides that Hoffman merely was seeking attention to position himself for a political run.
Hoffman blasted the parking meter deal, saying the process for approving the $1.15 billion deal was too quick and officials had not fully considered whether it made financial sense for the city.
Daley and his top aides immediately fired back at Hoffman. They suggested that Hoffman had overstepped the bounds of his job, which traditionally did not entail anything more than targeting corruption at City Hall.
Asked at the time if he had appointed Hoffman to judge his policies, the mayor tersely replied, "Today, everybody can do anything they want, I guess."
Hoffman also was a member of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's reform commission, which recommended broad changes to state ethics laws in the wake of Blagojevich's corruption arrest and ouster.
