McCain to back Kirk
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk will land the high-profile endorsement of Sen. John McCain in his early Republican bid for Senate at a suburban event on Sunday.
The former GOP presidential candidate from Arizona is set to hold a news conference with Kirk in Glenview and then a fundraiser expected to bring in half a million dollars, according to Kirk's campaign office.
The endorsement comes early in the GOP primary. Petitions to get on the ballot won't even be filed until November. But Kirk has locked in praise early from key Republican leaders who hope to propel the North Shore representative out of the primary without much of a battle.
Other GOP contenders include Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes, Internet commentator Andy Martin, former Harvey alderman John Harrington and retired downstate judge John Lowery.
On the Democratic side, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman and Chicago Urban League CEO Cheryle Jackson are among those vying to lead the ticket for the seat formerly held by President Barack Obama.