Kirk to run for Obama's old Senate seat
With a popular Republican ex-governor at his side and the state GOP chairman in the audience, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk announced his candidacy for Senate Monday, hoping for a clear primary and a clean shot at the more powerful Democratic party.
"As difficult as it may prove to be," the five-term congressman told scores of supporters in front of his boyhood home in North suburban Kenilworth, "I choose to stand and fight for the future of our country."
But, ever present during Kirk's announcement were signs of a major struggle ahead to corral his beleaguered party behind him and then take on a better-positioned Democrat Party to win President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
In his opening speech, the Highland Park Republican was shouted down by protesters demanding he take Democratic stands on health care and immigration reform. He then faced repeated questions from the media about Republicans who are fed up with his Democratic votes.
Taking hits from both sides for years, the 49-year-old Naval Reserve Officer has thrived on presenting himself as a political moderate, voting with Democrats on social and environmental issues and Republicans on taxes and national security.
The posture has garnered a broad base of support in the North suburban 10th District.
On Monday, he made clear his campaign would seek to exploit that base, emphasizing the Democratic Party's recent scandals while highlighting his military service and opposition to federal deficit spending and government-run health insurance.
"We are fighting for lower taxes. We are fighting for veterans' care, a strong national defense, medical rights," Kirk said, "but most importantly of all for integrity in public office in the state of Illinois."
Kirk twice has faced down a well-funded Democratic challenger in a district that has traditionally voted to put a Democrat in the White House. And he now clearly hopes to bring that bipartisan style to a hype-partisan field - an exorbitantly expensive and high-stakes battle for Senate expected to draw intense national attention in next year's election cycle.
To combat arguments that he is not a true Republican, Kirk has carefully lined up support from the party's brass. He boasted a long list of early endorsements Monday from top Republican senators to former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and suburban representatives Judy Biggert and Peter Roskam.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which will likely drop millions of dollars on the race, issued a statement Monday praising Kirk.
Edgar flew in from Colorado to be at Kirk's side for the announcement. Edgar had considerable support from Democrats during his two terms in the governor's mansion, and he has long argued for like-minded candidates in a party that hasn't won a top-ballot contest since 1998.
"Mark Kirk is a Republican that can win in November," Edgar said to a roar of applause from supporters Monday. "Mark Kirk is someone who can bring Republicans, independents and thoughtful Democrats together."
But Kirk has seen recently that the high stakes of a statewide Senate race will bring pressure to more completely reflect the party's positions. His vote for Obama's cap-and-trade legislation won him open condemnation from national conservative talk shows and drew a torrent of angry phone calls to his office.
The fallout threatened Kirk's Senate bid, but he regained his footing last weekend when Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna backed off efforts to make his own run.
McKenna was in the audience Monday as Kirk also touted the support of U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, a downstate Republican vocal about his anger over Kirk's cap-and-trade vote.
"Mark is beginning a great campaign," McKenna said when questioned about the party's division. "I think the door is wide open to him to go earn the confidence of the people of the state of Illinois."
Kirk said Monday he knows he has a lot of explaining to do about his record in a Republican primary. He is already planning a trip to a coal mine with Shimkus.
"I'm going to have to spend a quite a lot of time with my fellow Republicans," Kirk said while taking questions from reporters. "We have to win a Republican primary first."
For now, Kirk appears to be the most well-known and well-funded GOP candidate in a race that could cost $20 million on both sides. Nominating petitions are set to be circulated for the February primary in August. Other potential GOP candidates include Don Lowery, a retired judge from downstate.
On the Democratic side, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Merchandise Mart boss Chris Kennedy and Chicago Urban League CEO Cheryle Jackson are potential contenders.
Embattled Sen. Roland Burris, appointed to the seat by ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has said he will not seek election.
Giannoulias put out a statement Monday saying that if he runs, there will be a clear choice for voters.
"It is a simple choice between the failed past or a promising future - a clear choice between the right course and the wrong one," Giannoulias said in portraying Kirk as a Republican in the vein of former President George Bush.