Illinois Democratic LG candidate steps down

Amidst growing criticism about his past and less than a week after his primary win, Illinois Democrat Scott Lee Cohen has stepped down as the nominee for lieutenant governor.  He made the announcement Sunday night in a Chicago bar during halftime of the super bowl.

Announcing his decision at a Chicago bar packed with patrons watching the Super Bowl, a tearful Scott Lee Cohen said the Democrats were not certain they could win with him on the ticket. He said he was stepping down because he did not want to jeopardize the Democratic Party ticket.

"This is the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life," he said before choking up with sobs.

Since Cohen won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, it has become widely known that he was accused of abusing his ex-wife and holding a knife to the throat of an ex-girlfriend — a woman who was herself charged with prostitution. He also admits using steroids in the past.

"For the good of the people of the state of Illinois and the Democratic Party, I will resign," Cohen said in a rambling remarks made as the Super Bowl halftime entertainment blared in the background.

The revelations about Cohen's past came as Illinois was starting to move on from the scandals of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Cohen reportedly spent $2 million of his own money on his campaign, more than twice the amount spent by all his competitors combined.  The Illinois Democratic party will be responsible for selecting his replacement.