Duckworth to launch Illinois Senate bid

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) plans to launch her campaign against Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) on Monday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

{mosads}Duckworth has been moving toward a Senate race since the beginning of the year and recently been soliciting resumes for more fundraisers to beef up her campaign, an Illinois Democrat with knowledge of the hiring process told The Hill.

Kirk is one of Senate Democrats’ top targets, and Duckworth has long been courted for the seat by state and national party operatives who believe her resume helps blunt two of Kirk’s major advantages in the race.

Kirk is a military veteran who has been battling back from a stroke, both appealing qualities to voters, and he uses a cane or wheelchair. Duckworth lost her legs while serving in Iraq.

Duckworth will begin the race as a front-runner for the primary and may be able to clear the field, though other Illinois Democrats, including Reps. Bill Foster and Robin Kelly, haven’t ruled out bids.