Hoffman, 42, stunned the state political scene two weeks ago when- on the internet- he wrote that would run for the U.S. Senate. He is a political newcomer who will campaign with his reputation as a corruption fighter.
"Today I'm very proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate," said Hoffman.
The North Shore native and graduate of Yale and the University Of Chicago Law School worked the past four years as Chicago's inspector general. His investigations led to numerous corruption cases, and earlier this year a searing report on Mayor Daley's bungled parking meter lease deal. Hoffman said his years as a corruption fighter makes him the best candidate to face likely Republican nominee Mark Kirk.
"I heard Mark Kirk say that's running for senate to end corruption in Illinois. I've got news for Mark Kirk: while you've just discovered a campaign issue, I've been leading this fight for years," said Hoffman.
"I believe that David Hoffman's background as a former prosecutor and the inspector general of Chicago takes a key issue off the table in the November election," said State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, (D) NORTH SUBURBS.
Earlier this year Hoffman served on the Illinois Reform Commission chaired by former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins.
"I think this is an uphill climb, but I applaud him for getting in the race and I want to support him," said Collins.
Hoffman's primary opponents are Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryl Robinson Jackson, who has yet to make her formal announcement. Neither would comment on Hoffman. In his first campaign for any office, Hoffman says he'll run as the ultimate outsider.
"For all those whose voices aren't heard, whose interests aren't heard and tax dollars are wasted, this campaign is for you," said Hoffman.
Hoffman left the Chicago event to board a bus headed to Springfield to make his downstate announcement. He will need millions of dollars to get his name known around the state. He has just five months to do it before the February primary which is one of the earliest in the country.
