Kirk won't campaign for Oberweis' US Senate bid

Illinois' Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he has no plans to campaign with the GOP state lawmaker hoping to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in November.

On Election Night, Kirk said he'd support the GOP nominee. Still, he told reporters Monday he's going to be "protecting his relationship" with Durbin and won't launch "into a partisan jihad."

Durbin is the Senate's No. 2 Democrat.

Dairy magnate and state Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove won the GOP nomination last week. Oberweis says his name recognition will help his U.S. Senate campaign. However, Oberweis has been under fire in the past, including for remarks about immigrants.

Kirk and Durbin have worked together and have had a public friendship, particularly after Kirk suffered a stroke in 2012.