Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) plans to announce as early as Monday that she’ll challenge Republican Mark Kirk for his seat in the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.
The newspaper had reported Thursday that Duckworth sent a letter to potential donors assuring them she knows in her “gut” she can win Kirk’s seat.
A Kirk spokeswoman told the Sun-Times in a statement that “while he looks forward to a vigorous campaign, the senator believes there will be plenty of time for politics, and he is focused on fighting for veterans who have not received the treatment and respect they have earned from our government, as well as advocating for policies that encourage economic growth and job creation.”
Duckworth is one of several lawmakers considering a challenge to Kirk, including Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL).
Good luck to her!
I’ve kind of wished that Kirk would step down or not run again since he’s had a hard time actually being there due to the stroke.
It’s likely Boxer who leaves in 2016 will be replaced by a woman, Kamala Harris, and Mikulski’s successor is anyone’s guess, so with Duckworth there would still be 20 women in the Senate. I hope men and women can see the value of more women representing them.
I certainly wish that more people would. I live in Vermont and we have a problem with women not getting into politics because we have so few jobs in politics and far too many men already in those jobs that getting a woman into office has been difficult despite our liberal leanings.
People have encouraged me to get into politics, but I am very reluctant due to my social interaction issues.
Legs or not, I hope she kicks Kirk’s ass.
Edit: the other three D candidates are pretty good folks as well, I believe.
Here is California we have two women Senators, and we’re just one of a very few states which do.
I hear you. Curmudgeon is usually applied to men, but if there’s an equivalency for women, that’s me.