Taegan Goddard's Political Wire

July 20, 2009

Kirk's Seat Ripe for Takeover

Rep. Mark Kirk's (R-IL) decision to run for U.S. Senate from Illinois moves the state's 10th congressional district House seat to the top of Democrats' list of open seat takeover opportunities.

Cook Political Report: "One of only six remaining Republican-held districts won by John Kerry in 2004, the North Shore seat has been trending towards Democrats quickly. Still, it would be premature to count this seat in the Democratic column. Democrats could well host a competitive primary if either state Sens. Susan Garrett or Michael Bond faces 2006 and 2008 nominee Dan Seals, and Republicans retain a bench of local officeholders who share Kirk's moderate views. The race to succeed Kirk starts out as a Tossup."

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Taegan D. Goddard is the creator of Political Wire, a political column updated around the clock with the most interesting news, buzz and commentary.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and Christian Science Monitor.

This is a personal site and does not necessarily reflect the views of any company, political campaign or advocacy group.

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