Stevenson, Loser in Close 1982 Race, Will Run Again for Illinois Governor
Adlai E. Stevenson III, who lost in 1982 to Gov. James R. Thompson in the closest gubernatorial race in Illinois history, said Tuesday that he will seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Stevenson began his campaign where he left off three years ago--with stinging criticism of Thompson, a Republican who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term.
“The governor reigns like an imperial potentate from a glass palace in Chicago,” said Stevenson, referring to a new $172-million state office building constructed during Thompson’s tenure.
Stevenson also said his approach to agriculture would be more productive than holding “charity concerts,” a reference to the recent star-studded FarmAid benefit that Thompson helped organize.
And Stevenson pledged that he would “build Illinois without bilking Illinois,” a reference to a massive Build Illinois public works program launched by Thompson.
In 1982, Thompson edged Stevenson by 5,074 votes out of more than 3.6 million cast.
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