Democrat Gabby Giffords Endorses GOP Sen. Mark Kirk, Citing Gun-Control Vote
(CBS) -- Republican Senator Mark Kirk has received an endorsement from a prominent Democrat.
WBBM's Rob Hart reports.
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is supporting Kirk's bid for re-election. She is the representative who was shot and gravely wounded in 2011.
She and her husband now run the pro-gun control organization Americans for Responsible Solutions.
Giffords praised Kirk because he "broke from the gun lobby" when he voted in favor of expanded background checks on sales at gun shows, in 2013.
In a statement, Kirk says he remains committed to working with Democrats and Republicans to end what he says is the cycle of gun violence.
The incumbent senator faces a tough re-election campaign against Chicago area Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth.
A Duckworth spokesperson tells the Sun-Times Kirk is a reliable vote for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is opposed to gun control legislation.