by Mike Dorning
North Shore Republican Rep. Mark Kirk, who has been contemplating a costly run for the U.S. Senate or governor, reported today that he has built up a campaign warchest of more than $1 million.
Kirk raised more than $580,000 during the second quarter of the year, according to a statement his campaign released. Such a fundraising performance is robust by the standards of U.S. House members but lags slightly behind the amount of money Kirk raised during the same period in the last election cycle.
A statement released by spokesman Eric Elk described the results as "on pace" with Kirk's fundraising during the second quarter of last election cycle. Kirk raised $606,000 during the second quarter of 2007 and had accumulated a balance of $1.1 million at the end of the period.
During the last election cycle, Kirk was among the most prodigious fundraisers in the U.S. House outside of the party leadership, drawing on a support base in a wealthy region to defend a swing congressional district fiercely contested by the opposition Democrats.
The statement from Kirk's campaign described this year's fundraising as "strong" given the economic recession.
"I am humbled that during these difficult economic times, our support is stronger than ever," Kirk said in a written statement.
With Republicans no longer in control of either the White House or Congress, GOP candidates generally also are having a more difficult time raising money than when their party wielded power in Washington.
Kirk is being encouraged by Republican party leaders to make a bid for either the U.S. Senate or governor in the 2010 election.
The campaign treasury Kirk has accumulated is particularly important should he choose to make a bid for the U.S. Senate because the money can be used in any federal campaign.
Federal campaign funds must comply with restrictive rules which limit contributions to $2,400 per person. Illinois state law does not impose limits on campaign contributions, making it easier to quickly amass funds for a run at a state office.
In a mid-April speech to the City Club of Chicago, Kirk had promised to make a decision on seeking one of the offices by the end of the month but then let the deadline slip and has yet to make an announcement of his intentions.
Kirk's campaign released the fundraising totals in advance of July 15 legal deadline for disclosing fundraising activity through June 30. The campaign did not provide data on individual contributors and expenses, which must be released by the deadline.
Comments
Mark Kirk (R-Treason) is the GOPer goon who went to China recently and told them not to loan us money because we weren't planning on repaying it.
Kirk doesn't stand a chance of winning a Senate seat.
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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/rep-mark-kirk-r-il-i-told-china-not-to-believe-us-budget-numbers.php
Posted by: The Late Show with David Letterman - the #1 late night comedy show in America | July 6, 2009 4:12 PM
Kirk is a typical Repuglican clown. He actually thinks it would be a good idea to criminalize marijuana even more so than it already is - nevermind the fact that our prison system is already bursting at the seams.
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http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/590/mark_kirk_marijuana_bill_kush_25_years
Posted by: BigCheese | July 6, 2009 5:11 PM
He better square that Cap and Tax vote right when the final bill comes before the House or he doesn't survive the primary
Posted by: Terry | July 6, 2009 7:44 PM
He better square that Cap and Tax vote right when the final bill comes before the House or he doesn't survive the primary
Posted by: Terry | July 6, 2009 7:44 PM
.......................................
.
Patty,
Kirk's stance on Cap and Trade is one of the only issues on which Kirk comes across as being halfway sane. At least on one issue he's not part of the mouth-breathing global warming denial goon squad that you belong too, clown boy.
Posted by: you | July 6, 2009 11:00 PM
Boy Wonder Bush thumper Kirk has no chance of ever becoming Senator or Governor of Illinois. He barely won his re-election bid. Your going to need much more than $1 million to make a run for either of these offices. Not going to happen. End of story.
Posted by: Doug R. | July 7, 2009 8:08 AM
Hmmm..what should Mark Kirk do?
On the one hand you have a Senate seat with perceived higher status (could it turn into the presidency?).
On the other hand you can keep the seat you already have as a Representative and not sweat the election.
He may surprise me but I see him as staying with the status quo.
Posted by: lochnesssmonster | July 7, 2009 8:28 AM
Trickled On You,
Global Warming - I'm enjoying this nice cool summer. Hardly have had to use the A/C.
Even part of BO's EPA believes that Global Warming is bunk. But the most transparent administration in history is trying to bury the story
http://cei.org/news-release/2009/06/25/cei-releases-global-warming-study-censored-epa
Keep drinking kool-aid and let teh gov't dictate your life. Seeing your lack of intellgence on display in the Swamp, you better have someone guiding you thru life.
Posted by: Terry | July 7, 2009 8:06 PM
I think the fact that Kirk has been attacked as a Bush clone and a pinko enviro-commie in the same thread here reflects nicely why Illinois should be proud to have a thoughtful independent serving as either Senator or Governor.
Let's hope he makes up his mind soon so we can start sending him donations!
Posted by: Andrew Quinn | July 8, 2009 1:47 AM
Rep. Kirk is too similar to ex-President George W. Bush. Both of them are too liberal.
Posted by: Conservative Veteran | July 8, 2009 12:51 PM
Kirk's a bit too liberal for me, but I'll be supporting him. If you like Blagojevich, Burris and company, by all means vote for the Democrat. I'll be voting for Mark Kirk.
Posted by: John K. | July 8, 2009 3:55 PM
Voted for Cap and Trade. Will not be getting my vote!!!
Posted by: captinjoe | July 8, 2009 6:03 PM
Good pt. DougR.
Plus, isn't Kirk starting a divorce? We know how those deposition transcripts can pop up at awkward moments.
Madigan is out.
Alexxxi has Rezko type problems about to pop up.
Could it be??? Heaven forfend!
Is it just possible Roland might squeak through??
Posted by: Milton Friedman | July 8, 2009 11:05 PM
Once we finally get rid of the tainted Burris from the senate, Illinois needs a strong senate voice. I think we all must take a moment to address that exact question; how exactly can a US senator clean the State of Illinois? The answer is not a simple one.
The solution is complex, long, and will require commitments by both parties and throughout the entangled web of bureaucracy. To take the first step, we need a leader who is focused on solving the problem; from listening to Mark Kirk's announcement speech for US Senate, all of Illinois now should know that cleaning up Illinois is one of his top priorities. So that becomes the first step, having a clean leader who believes in the importance of cleaning up the Illinois system. He has shown from his past voting in the House that he has set up incentives for those who stay clean and harsh punishments such as eliminating pensions for the corrupt leaders. But being a senator and a leader will only enhance Kirk's ability to allow him to have more power over seeking out the bad apples, destroying them, and in their place planting the seeds for a new governmental system, one that puts a premium on honesty and integrity.
Posted by: J Stone | July 22, 2009 3:14 PM