SPRINGFIELD -- The number of people hoping to replace Scott Lee Cohen as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor swelled to more than 200 Monday.

Democrats began soliciting applications when Cohen left the race after allegations surfaced that he abused his ex-wife and held a knife to an ex-girlfriend's throat.

Just as Cohen was a political newcomer, most of the applicants have little political experience.

Mary Stonor Saunders of Chicago, for example, notes that she runs a company that sells high-end granola.

Carol Qualkinbush of Evanston is a partner in a company that sells products aimed at controlling foot odor.

"I am definitely not a politician but will hopefully bring an integrity that career politicians cannot often afford," Qualkinbush notes in her application.

While there are smattering of candidates with previous campaign experience, some of the applicants are better known for what their parents did.

The son of Joseph Hartzler, the federal prosecutor who oversaw the conviction of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, also has tossed his name in the ring.

Alex Harms Hartzler, 25, is a Springfield-area native who now lives in Chicago.

Why would he be a good pick?

"I did not vote for Rod Blagojevich in 2006," he notes in his application.

Others with family ties include Sheila Simon, the daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, who jumped into the race last week.

Several of those who ran for lieutenant governor have not yet turned in applications to be chosen to run alongside Pat Quinn in the November general election. Included in that list are state Reps. Mike Boland of East Moline and Art Turner of Chicago.

For now, there is no deadline for people to submit their names. There also has been no date set by the party to hold a meeting to consider which candidates they like or dislike.

Party spokesman Steve Brown said the cattle call could go on for "some period of time."

Some early entrants have already pulled out of consideration. Among those who have formally withdrawn their names was Bob Arya, a former television reporter who was an adviser to ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.