April 7 (Bloomberg) -- Mark Kirk, a five-term Republican congressman from Chicago’s northern suburbs, raised $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2010 in his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois formerly held by President Barack Obama.
Kirk, 50, ended the quarter with more than $3 million in the bank, his campaign said in a statement. Alexi Giannoulias, 34, the Illinois state treasurer and Democratic nominee for the seat, hasn’t reported his total.
The Senate seat is held by Democrat Roland Burris, who isn’t seeking a full term. Republicans are trying to take advantage of ethical problems experienced by Illinois Democrats, including a public corruption trial set to begin June 3 for former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who appointed Burris to complete Obama’s term.
“Congressman Kirk wore the uniform of our country, fought for stem cell research and defended Lake Michigan from polluters,” campaign spokesman Eric Elk said in a statement. “After Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris, we won’t get fooled again.”
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