A retracted endorsement by a former member of Congress has produced an early spark of disagreement between two Democratic candidates in Illinois' highly competitive 10th District north of Chicago.
Dan Seals, the losing Democratic nominee in 2006 and 2008, sent out a fundraising e-mail touting the backing of ex-Rep. Abner Mikva, the district's congressman from 1975 to 1979 and who later served as a federal appellate judge and as Bill Clinton's White House counsel.
But Mikva has decided to sit out the 2010 Democratic primary, in which Seals' most threatening opponent is state Rep. Julie Hamos.
Mikva backed Seals' two campaigns against Republican Rep. Mark Steven Kirk and endorsed Seals' 2010 effort back in January, reports Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. But that was before Hamos entered the race in late July, shortly after Kirk announced that he would be running for the Senate.
"After she announced, I told Mr. Seals I felt uncomfortable backing anyone ... and that he could not use my endorsement," Mikva told Hinz.
But Seals' campaign did cite Mikva's endorsement, and Hamos' campaign is calling out Seals for it.
Hamos' campaign Friday night sent out an e-mail (subject line "Our opponent's error") in which campaign manager Julie Sweet asks for donations.
"We presume that our opponent has received a fair number of donations as a result of today's erroneous endorsement," Sweet wrote. "Please help us fight back by making a donation of $50, $75 or $100 to Julie's campaign right now!"
All congressional campaigns are raising as much money as possible ahead of Sept. 30, the cutoff date for the third-quarter campaign finance reports that are due Oct. 15.
Seals' campaign addressed the matter in a Friday post on its campaign Web page: "After several conversations with Ab Mikva about his support for our campaign, we sent out an e-mail last night about his endorsement. We understand that Ab today has decided not to endorse any candidates in the race. Ab is a great friend and we respect his decision."
Also seeking the Democratic nomination is Elliot Richardson, a little-known lawyer. There is a large field of Republican candidates seeking Kirk's seat.
The contested primary elections in the 10th and other Illinois districts will intensify soon because the balloting will be held Feb. 2, the earliest primaries in the nation.
CQ Politics at the moment rates the Illinois 10 race as Leans Democratic, mainly because of the district's strong 2008 vote (61 percent) for Barack Obama, who was an Illinois senator at the time of his election as president.
To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map
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