So there were rumors that Iraq War Veteran, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D. IL-08), might pass up the chance to run against Senator Mark Kirk (R. IL) because she is expecting her first child. Well guess what:
http://politics.suntimes.com/...
Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is interested in a 2016 Senate run against Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., but for now is focused on the impending birth of her daughter, who is due any day.
A member of Duckworth’s team — who is familiar with how Duckworth is approaching the possibility of a 2016 run — confirmed that Duckworth is “interested, open and curious” about a Senate bid and is receptive to having conversations about the race.
Duckworth, 46, is taking her time, having just won a second term to represent the northwest suburban 8th Congressional District.
Duckworth, who was a lieutenant colonel in the guard — and is on the House Armed Services Committee — has the standing to erode one of Kirk’s major selling points: his military experience.
Kirk, who stepped up to the Senate after five terms in the House, is a retired Navy intelligence officer. He has always highlighted his intel background during his campaigns, including his 2010 Senate race against the Democratic nominee, then-state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Duckworth is putting off looking at the race more seriously until she has her baby and knows everyone is healthy. Duckworth announced she was pregnant on Labor Day. - Chicago Sun-Times, 11/13/14
This could get interesting. Now there were rumors that Kirk might not run again do to his health but guess what:
http://atr.rollcall.com/...
“No frickin’ way am I retiring,” he told CQ Roll Call in an exclusive interview Thursday from his Capitol Hill office, following some speculation in local press over the senator’s future and shifting political operation. ”With all this rehab, for me just to walk was a huge effort. I had to re-learn how to walk again after the stroke. And all the rehab and all the effort shows the mental determination times 10 to keep serving.”
In an extended interview, Kirk sought to dispel any notion this means he’s ready to leave — or that he lacks the stamina to seek re-election after suffering an ischemic stroke in January 2012. Kirk said he feels great, and any opponents who question his fitness to do so will regret it.
“That would not be taken well by the people of Illinois who would not like that kind of attack,” Kirk said. “That would be an advantage to me if they did that.”
The Illinois Republican will be a top target for Democrats in 2016, as the party aims to reclaim majority it lost in a sweeping GOP wave last week. Democrats view his seat in Illinois — a state where Democrats dominate in presidential elections — as a top pick-up opportunity.
Most recently, several of Kirk’s current and former top staffers have headed to Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner’s administration. The senator’s longtime chief of staff, Erik Elk, is leaving his office to enter the private sector, though Kirk says Elk will still be heavily involved in the campaign. - Roll Call, 11/14/14
Democrats will certainly have a big bench in 2016 but Duckworth might be one of their best choices. Stay tuned.