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Assisted Suicide Doctor Jack Kevorkian Plans Run for Congress in Michigan

Associated Press
Published | Updated

PONTIAC, Mich. – Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian is planning a run for Congress.

Kevorkian was released from prison last year and remains on parole. But the 79-year-old told The Oakland Press for an article published Wednesday that he plans to run for office as a candidate with no party affiliation.

"We need some honesty and sincerity instead of corrupt government in Washington," Kevorkian said.

He said he would say more about his candidacy next week.

Kevorkian lives in Oakland County and the 9th District. That's a seat now held by Republican Joe Knollenberg. Democrat Gary Peters also is among those planning to run for the seat.

Kevorkian would have to gather a minimum of 3,000 signatures on nominating petitions to appear as an independent on the November ballot.

Kevorkian's candidacy could not be confirmed by Oakland County election officials Wednesday because they track only when candidates submit petitions, not when they pick them up.

A message seeking comment was left with Kevorkian's attorney, Mayer Morganroth, by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Oakland County Prosecutor Dave Gorcyca, whose office was responsible for sending Kevorkian to prison, did not give Kevorkian's candidacy much weight.

"It's probably more of a publicity stunt," Gorcyca said. "To call attention to himself is standard protocol for Jack when he doesn't have the limelight focused on him. I would not consider his candidacy to be a legitimate one."

Kevorkian, a retired pathologist, claims to have helped at least 130 people die from 1990 until 1998 — the year he was charged in the death of Thomas Youk, a 52-year-old Oakland County man with Lou Gehrig's disease. Kevorkian has promised not to help in any other assisted suicides and could go back to prison if he did.

Kevorkian was released from prison in June after serving the minimum of his 10- to 25-year sentence for second-degree murder in Youk's death. He spent eight years and 2 1/2 months behind bars after earning time off for good behavior.