Quinn Picks Paul Vallas As Running Mate

Gov. Pat Quinn has selected former Chicago schools CEO and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Paul Vallas as his running mate in 2014.

The Chicago Democrat announced Vallas as his pick in an email Friday. 

Quinn says he's known Vallas for 30 years and "he's never been shy about fighting for education, reform and opportunities for working people.''
 
Vallas is currently the school superintendent in Bridgeport, Conn., where he's been fighting to keep his job in a court battle waged by his critics.  Vallas ran Chicago Public Schools from 1995 until 2001.
 
He lost the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002 to Rod Blagojevich.   Vallas then was superintendent of schools in Philadelphia and New Orleans.
 
Quinn's current lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon, is running for comptroller next year.