NPR: Jack "Dr. Death" Kevorkian Announces Run for Congress

Jack "Dr. Death" Kevorkian Announces Run for Congress

In an earlier posting on the News Blog, we noted that Dr. Jack Kevorkian had taken out papers to run for public office in Michigan, but we couldn't say for sure which office until he actually filed the papers. Well, it appears that Kervorkian got at least the minimum 3,000 signatures he needed, and he will run for Congress in Michigan's 9th district.

The retired 79-year old pathologist said he helped at least 130 people die from 1990 to 1998. In 1999 he was convicted of second-degree murder and served eight years of a 10-25 year sentence.

He called his candidacy audacious. "But it is the most important thing in my life right now."

If elected, he said his main priority will be promoting the little-known Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the rights it guarantees. The Ninth Amendment protects rights not explicitly specified elsewhere in the Constitution, and Kevorkian says he interprets it as protecting a person's choice to die through assisted suicide or to avoid wearing a seat belt.

The seat, considered a safe Republican seat, is currently held by Rep. Joe Knollenberg, who is seeking re-election. Gary Peters, a former state senator and state lottery commissioner, is running for the Democratic nomination. Michigan's statewide non-presidential primaries are on Aug. 5.

4:10 PM ET | 03-24-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I don't know about anyone else, but I do admire someone who's willing to stand up for his or her beliefs without making excuses and/or having the wife standing by their side while attempting to do so. It's likely Jack won't win a parking ticket, but there are lessons to be learned in simple honest acts of courage, the one's that require the biggest step anyone could possibly imagine.

For some the act of dying is not a myth shrouded in the recieving comfort of trumpeting angels, but rather an unbroken chain in the cosmic dust we call the universe...fertilizer to some. God (Dog) forbid my mother should read this, but hey, little to her knowledge I was born skeptical of those who insist otherwise and speak in mortal tongue. Excuse me, but what could they possibly know that I don't??

In years to come Kevorkian will be lauded for improving the quality of life's ending, but sadly he will not be present to recieve such honors. But then again future generations may be inhaling bits and pieces of Jack and never be the wiser...

Sent by George Gekas | 5:36 PM ET | 03-24-2008

Ridiculous couching nihilism in obscuring prose. Kevorkian is a mentally ill ghoul who is attempting to be nothing more than a state sanctioned serial killer.
Who's next? "Dr Pedo wants to help kids be all they can be with dignity?"

Pathetic.

Sent by deek | 10:50 PM ET | 03-24-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:	» List of local stations (PDF)
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.