Independent joins 10th District House contest

Independent candidate Allan Stevo has entered the 10th Congressional District race, joining incumbent Republican Mark Kirk and Democratic challenger Dan Seals.

Stevo, of Highwood, said in a written statement that he is running as an independent because he thinks party affiliations encourage candidates to ignore constituents' wishes.

A University of Illinois graduate, Stevo said in his statement that he would base his decisions in Congress strictly on the Constitution:

"No undeclared wars, innocent until proven guilty, no searches without probable cause, everyone gets his or her day in court, small central government," he said.

His campaign Web site touts personal choice on health care and a "more humble" foreign policy. Stevo also vows, on his Web site, that he never would vote to increase taxes, spending or national debt.

Campaign spokesman Igor Mikka said that Stevo, 28, is running full-time but that he previously has worked as a writer and teacher, having lectured in British literature in Slovakia. He also has participated in several better-government projects and served as an international observer of the 2004 Russian presidential election.

Stevo's entrance makes the 10th District campaign a three-person race again. Election officials removed Green Party candidate David Kalbfleisch, of Arlington Heights, from the ballot three weeks ago after agreeing with objectors that the party had not followed legal procedures in slating several candidates to the ballot after the Feb. 4 Illinois primary.

Kirk, of Highland Park, and Seals, of Wilmette, are expected to become locked in a close race for the seat, which Kirk first won in 2008. Kirk defeated Seals by about 6 percentage points in 2006.

The 10th District covers roughly the eastern half of Lake County and portions of Northwest Cook County.