Duckworth, Kirk Expected To Spend Big In Senate Race
(CBS) -- In campaign 2016, next to the presidential race, Illinois' U.S. Senate race will be the one to watch around the country.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, Democrats will be clamoring to regain the seat.
Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth thanks supporters this morning, after winning the Democratic primary.
In the general election, both candidates combined, are expected to spend more than $40 million. The money will come from voters, special interest groups and political action committees.
Eric Adelstein is a Democratic strategist.
"This will be the number one targeted senate race, in the entire country," he said.
Adelstein created ads for Alexi Giannoulias when Giannoulias, ran against Mark Kirk in 2010, for the U.S. Senate. When asked what Duckworth needs to do to win, he said, "The issues matter, but character counts.
"She has to stick to her message, she has to tell her story and she can't allow him to get under her skin. He's very good at trying to get under candidate's skin," he said.
An internal Kirk memo shows the campaign will go after Duckworth for not "protecting veterans" and supporting "bringing Syrian refugees" into the U.S.
"That kind of shows a lack of understanding on national security issues and foreign affairs," said political consultant Eric Elk.
Elk was Kirk's chief of staff and campaign manager in the past.
"There's a lot at stake, Republicans have more senate seats up this cycle," Elk said. "If a Republican is going to win in Illinois in a presidential year, Senator Kirk will be the guy to do it."
Elk said Republicans are willing to spend, whatever it takes, to win the seat. Meantime, Adelstein says while Duckworth has an impressive veteran record, Kirk has lied about his military credentials in the past and that impacts his credibility.
