Sheila Simon, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and Jason Plummer, the Republican Party's choice for the seat, insist they can lead the state should something happen to their running mates. In interviews with the State Journal-Register, both Simon and Plummer spoke generally about the importance of job creation. Illinois currently does not have a lieutenant governor because the state constitution didn't require the General Assembly to fill the post after Gov. Pat Quinn replaced Rod Blagojevich.