Rep. Mark Kirk (R) knows he’s a marked man and is raising as much money as possible to defend his 10th district seat.

Kirk’s second-quarter total of $616,000 could put him at the top of House Republicans’ fundraising list — candidates do not have to file their latest report with the Federal Election Commission until Sunday.

Kirk, who is a top Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee target, had $1.1 million in his war chest as of July 1.

Democrat Dan Seals, Kirk’s long-shot opponent last year who surprised everyone by winning 47 percent of the vote, took in more than $250,000 in the second quarter. That put him slightly behind first-time candidate Jay Footlik, who is challenging Seals for the Democratic nomination.

From March 1 to June 30, Footlik raised $286,000. He began July with nearly $270,000 in the bank.

Seals had $265,000 in his war chest as of July 1.

Though many national and local Democrats feel Seals earned a rematch, Footlik’s apparent fundraising abilities could make him a formidable primary, and general election, opponent.
— Nicole Duran