Kirk Continues Torrid Fundraising Pace

By Josh Kraushaar

(The Politico)  Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), facing a highly-competitive re-election campaign, appears poised to again be one of the top Congressional fundraisers after announcing he raised $900,000 in the most recent fundraising quarter.

Kirk now has $2.85 million cash-on-hand – all of it which will be necessary to advertise in the expensive Chicago media market.

"I am humbled by the groundswell of grassroots support my campaign received last quarter," Kirk said in a statement.

Kirk’s Democratic opponent, business consultant Dan Seals, reported his own strong fundraising quarter, raising about $635,000 over the last three months.

Seals is one of the Democrats’ top recruits this election cycle. He won 47 percent of the vote against Kirk in 2006 despite receiving little support from the national party establishment -- and is one of the Democrats' best-funded House challengers this time around.