Sumption drops out of Democrat's 10th battle

The Democratic race to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in the North suburbs has thinned out a bit with the departure of Milton Sumption.

The Lake Bluff financial consultant dropped out of the race Friday, saying he had "reached this decision after careful consideration of the current political climate and my personal priorities with the upcoming birth of our first child."

The remaining Democratic candidates include three-peat contender Dan Seals of Wilmette, state Rep. Julie Hamos of Evanston and Highland Park attorney Elliott Richardson.

Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, is not running for re-election and is instead seeking the state's open U.S. Senate seat.