Hughes goes to Washington, looking for conservative credentials
Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes is attempting to jump-start his Republican Senate campaign in a round of meetings with top conservative organizers and contributors on Capitol Hill this week.
Hughes, who is making his first run for public office and has the backing of state anti-abortion rights organizations, is angling to be viewed as the more conservative alternative to U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park.
Kirk has taken heat from some in the base of his party for supporting Democratic policies at times during his five terms in Congress representing the North suburbs.
But in his eight-way primary run for Senate, Kirk has tried hard to present a strict Republican viewpoint to voters, though he had in the past touted himself as a "moderate" and "independent." National and state Republican Party leaders have already endorsed Kirk's candidacy.
Hughes says he still sees an opening. He is scheduled to meet this week with representatives from the National Right to Life, the Senate Conservatives Fund and FreedomWorks, a newer GOP organization that has been credited with organizing "Tea Parties" and anti-health care reform rallies across the nation.
Hughes campaign manager Mike Sullivan says they also are seeking endorsements from former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
This weekend Hughes landed an endorsement from the Niles Township GOP. Meanwhile, Wheeling Township Republicans, the largest base of GOP voters in Kirk's 10th District, decided not to endorse in the race when no candidates landed more than 60 percent of an internal party vote.
Other candidates in the GOP primary for Senate include Internet commentator Andy Martin of Chicago, retired judge Don Lowery of downstate Golconda, Springfield activist Kathleen Thomas, former Harvey alderman John Arrington, Rockford businessman Robert Zadek and Jerseyville businessman Thomas Kuna. Objections to the petitions filed by Zadek and Kuna to get on the Feb. 2 ballot are pending.