Updated 2:57 p.m
There's a battle brewing over endorsements in Illinois, where the two Democratic candidates running for a newly-drawn House seat are each claiming support from two prominent former members of Congress.
The campaign of Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth is claiming that her primary rival, former Illinois Deputy Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi falsely touted endorsements from former Reps. Melissa Bean and Debbie Halvorson. Her campaign released statements from both today, praising Duckworth. Both former congresswomen are staying neutral in the race.
There's a battle brewing over endorsements in Illinois, where the two Democratic candidates running for a newly-drawn House seat are each claiming support from two prominent former members of Congress.
The campaign of Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth is claiming that her primary rival, former Illinois Deputy Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi falsely touted endorsements from former Reps. Melissa Bean and Debbie Halvorson. Her campaign released statements from both today, praising Duckworth. Both former congresswomen are staying neutral in the race.
In June, when it was rumored Duckworth was considering a run, Krishnamoorthi's campaign claimed the financial support of Bean, and several local papers reported that the former congresswoman endorsed her.
Krishnamoorthi spokesman Mike Murray said that they never claimed Bean formally endorsed their campaign, but underscored that she had been supportive of his bid.
"While it is true that Bean cannot formally endorse a candidate due to her position in the private sector, the facts are clear," said Murray. "It was Bean who initially recruited Raja to run for the new 8th district seat, Bean has supported Raja's candidacy financially with $1,000 cash donation and a $2,000 in-kind contribution of office equipment left over from her previous campaign."
Duckworth released an internal poll this month showing her with a substantial advantage over Krishnamoorthi, owing somewhat to her high name recognition in this district. Duckworth ran a high-profile campaign against now-Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill, in 2006. There currently is no Republican formally running in the district, which Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., was drawn out of. He could run there, or in the 14th District against Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/07/battle-brewing-over-endorsements-in-illinois-27
Krishnamoorthi spokesman Mike Murray said that they never claimed Bean formally endorsed their campaign, but underscored that she had been supportive of his bid.
"While it is true that Bean cannot formally endorse a candidate due to her position in the private sector, the facts are clear," said Murray. "It was Bean who initially recruited Raja to run for the new 8th district seat, Bean has supported Raja's candidacy financially with $1,000 cash donation and a $2,000 in-kind contribution of office equipment left over from her previous campaign."
Duckworth released an internal poll this month showing her with a substantial advantage over Krishnamoorthi, owing somewhat to her high name recognition in this district. Duckworth ran a high-profile campaign against now-Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill, in 2006. There currently is no Republican formally running in the district, which Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., was drawn out of. He could run there, or in the 14th District against Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/07/battle-brewing-over-endorsements-in-illinois-27