Andy McKenna

Rep. Mark Steven Kirk , considered by many Republicans as their most promising contender for the 2010 Senate race in Illinois, no longer has to worry about a primary brawl with Andy McKenna , the state Republican Party chairman.

McKenna revealed Monday that he will forgo the race, a development that could pave the way for Kirk to announce his candidacy soon.  

“As party chairman, my goal has been to build party unity,” McKenna said in a statement Monday. “Mark Kirk and I met last evening as part of an ongoing discussion about the U.S. Senate race. I reassured Mark that if he chooses to be a candidate, I will not oppose him.”