Statement on Mark Kirk's Victory in the Primaries

I congratulate Mark Kirk for his victory in the Illinois Republican Senate primary election. With Congressman Kirk as our nominee, the Republican Party has a real opportunity to pick up the President's former Senate seat in the blue state of Illinois.

Voters in the Land of Lincoln are tired of the same failed politics of corruption and dishonesty, and they are searching for accountable, effective, ethical, and trustworthy leadership this November. As we approach the next nine months before Election Day, the clear contrast in this campaign could not be more apparent.

Mark Kirk has a respected record of independent-minded leadership, ethical accountability, and bipartisan achievement in Congress. I know that he will work hard to restore the checks-and-balances and fiscal responsibility that Illinois families, seniors, veterans, and small business owners deserve in Washington. Congressman Kirk has served our nation honorably as a Commander in the United States Naval Reserves, and he will continue fighting to protect America as a United States Senator.

In contrast, Mark Kirk's Democrat challenger, Alexi Giannoulias, is a product of the ethically-tainted political machine in Chicago that was run by disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich. As the state's first term Treasurer, Giannoulias has eagerly endorsed his party's out-of-control spending agenda in Washington, and he has failed to reject the Obama Administration's plans to detain and try terrorists on American soil.

As we witnessed in Massachusetts last month, Republican, Independent, and Democrat voters are tired of the Democrats' failed tax-and-spend policies, and they are looking for real leaders who will represent their best interests in Washington. I look forward to serving with Mark Kirk in the United States Senate.