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).