Source: Mark Kirk to run for US Senate

Until his vote for the national energy tax known as cap-and-trade, a Mark Kirk run of the US Senate would have meant a Republican Primary that would have been little more than a coronation.

But Kirk was one of eight "cap-and-tr8tors" who voted for it.

He'll have to spend a lot more time explaining his vote, particularly in downstate Illinois, which not only has huge coal deposits, but many coal-fired power plants.

That's because according to Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Kirk is running for the Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris (D-Blagojevich).

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan was expected to make a run, but the Chicago Democrat, in a surprising move, announced will run for a third term as AG.

Morton Grove businessman Andy McKenna, the State Republican chairman, is also considering a run. Cook County Republican Party co-chairman Eric M. Wallace and political gadfly and nutjob Andy Martin have already thrown their hats into the ring.

As for Kirk's district, the Chicago North Shore 10th, look for the race to succeed the Highland Park resident to be one of the most watched contests next year. It's been held by the GOP for years, but the area has been trending Democratic for the last decade.

If McKenna's Illinois Republican Party wants to draw a line in the Congressional sand, this is the place to do it.

Related post:

Cap-and-trade Tea Party at Rep. Mark Kirk's office

Technorati tags: politics news Democrats energy Mark Kirk Illinois Congress illinois politics Republican tea party climate change environment global warming Chicago North Shore cap and trade