Pioneer Press,
Nov 04, 2004
Pioneer Press: Kirk sails to third term
BY JOHN ROSZKOWSKI
STAFF WRITER
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk sailed to a third term in Congress Tuesday night,
easily defeating his Democratic challenger in his bid for re-election
in the 10th Congressional District.
Kirk, 45, of Highland Park, won by almost a 2 to 1 margin in
Lake and Cook counties, receiving 174,158 votes compared to 97,701
for Lee Goodman. Kirk, a Republican, won convincingly despite
a strong showing by many Democratic candidates at the state level
including Barrack Obama for U.S. Senate.
"I think despite a strong pull for the other party on the
offices above me on the ticket, the voters of the 10th District
strongly embrace a moderate view of some of the hard work we've
done on local issues," said Kirk, who celebrated the victory
with supporters at the Marriott in Lincolnshire.
Kirk said he attributes his overwhelming victory to his efforts
to address issues of importance to constituents in the 10th district
such as the cleanup of the Waukegan Harbor, efforts to save the
North Chicago Veterans Administration hospital and expand Metra
service along the North Central line.
Kirk said he ran a positive upbeat campaign, which he thinks
was part of the reason for his success.
"I think the voters of the 10th District appreciate a relentlessly
positive approach to politics," he said.
Goodman, 51, a private mediator from Northbrook, ran largely
on an anti-war platform. He criticized Kirk's support for the
war in Iraq and attempted to portray Kirk as too conservative
for the 10th District on important issues like health care, the
environment and the federal budget.
Despite his defeat, Goodman said he was pleased by the effort
put forth by the volunteers who worked for his campaign.
"I just want to thank my supporters. I'm very pleased with
the effort put forth and I was honored to be their candidate,"
Goodman said.
Kirk was first elected to Congress in 2000, narrowly defeating
former state legislator Lauren Beth Gash. He defeated Democrat
Henry "Hank" Perritt of Glencoe to win re-election in
2002.
The 10th Congressional District extends from Wilmette north to
Waukegan and from the Lake Michigan shoreline west to Arlington
Heights and Libertyville.
Copyright© 2004, Digital Chicago Inc.
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