CHICAGO (AP) - Republican Mark Kirk will announce Monday he is running for the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama and presently held by Roland Burris, an Illinois Republican told The Associated Press.
National GOP strategists see the congressman from Chicago's northern suburbs as their best shot to take the Senate seat from Democrats. Burris was appointed to the Senate by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office and faces federal charges of trying to sell the Senate seat.
Two Republican sources with knowledge of the decision confirmed Kirk's plans but spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to preempt Kirk's announcement. One source is an Illinois Republican consultant who spoke to Kirk.
The other is a GOP official with knowledge of Kirk's decision.
Speculation about Kirk's decision has grown since Burris and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced they wouldn't seek the Democratic nomination for Senate.
Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna has said he would stay out of the Senate race if Kirk runs.
Associated Press Staff Writer Henry C. Jackson contributed from Washington, D.C.
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