Seals taking another run in 10th with Kirk in Senate race
The political shuffle in the 10th Congressional District race continued Tuesday with the announced candidacy of Dan Seals, a Wilmette business consultant.
Seals, who gave incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk a tough fight in the last two general elections, will be making a third run in the diverse district stretching from Waukegan to Arlington Heights.
"Obviously I've been interested in the seat for awhile and the fact I won 47 percent of the vote showed I've been fighting for issues people care about," he said.
The decision came a day after Kirk said he would seek the U.S. Senate seat held by Roland Burris.
The Democratic field for the 10th seat grew to three with Seals' announcement. State Sen. Michael Bond of Grayslake and Elliott Richardson of Highland Park already are in the race.
"I think there are a lot of good candidates running and more who may be on the way," Seals said.
Patricia Bird, a business owner and political researcher from Mount Prospect, is the only announced candidate on the Republican side, but more are expected.
"In the next few weeks, people who had been considering will decide," said Dan Venturi, Lake County Republican Party chairman.
State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson of Glenview and Winnetka business owner Dick Green have been mentioned as possible Republican candidates.
Seals said he had been asked to consider a bid for the U.S. Senate but decided to stick with the 10th Congressional District.
"I'm sure I had some dreams about it but the focus has been here. It's the community I know best," he said.
Seals said he has been "struck" by how the economic downturn has affected people in the 10th District.
He vowed to make health care and energy costs more affordable while focusing on job growth, and acknowledged a need to get the national debt under control.
Candidates can start circulating petitions Aug. 4, so the respective fields are expected to round out quickly.
Longtime state Sen. Terry Link on Tuesday said he is considering running for Kirk's spot and would decide within a few weeks.
"It's an opportunity and I've got to weigh it very carefully to see if I'm the right person for the right race," said Link, a Democrat.
Link's entry would produce an interesting faceoff with Bond, a freshman legislator whose cache is rising quickly.
"I've never worried who my opponents were," Link said.
Bond was not immediately available but in a statement said that what others decide to do will not impact his decision.
"I am running for Congress because our country is facing enormous challenges that call for new ideas and pragmatic solutions," the statement read.
"There is a lot at stake - rebuilding our nation's economy, enacting sustainable energy policies, promoting fiscal discipline - and our suburban families deserve a Congressman who can speak forcefully and effectively for their priorities."
The political catnip reportedly has several other Democratics considering Kirk's seat, including state Rep. Julie Hamos, Buffalo Grove Mayor Elliott Hartstein, Lake County Board Member Michelle Feldman and James Kirsch, a Highland Park city councilman.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=308171">State Sen. Garrett eyes Kirk's Congressional seat <span class="date">[07/21/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=308314">Seals to run again in 10th District <span class="date">[07/21/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=308036">Kirk to run for Obama's old Senate seat <span class="date">[7/20/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>