Posted on 07/02/2003 10:16:11 PM PDT by LdSentinal
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Lane Evans announced his endorsement Tuesday of state Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, in his bid for Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat in 2004. . Evans, D-Ill., said he met with many of the candidates and chose to endorse Obama, who is serving his second term in the Illinois Senate.
“He stands up for the average citizens and make sure that their voice is heard,” Evans said. “He is an advocate for working families and works for their future.”
Evans, of Rock Island, who is in his 11th term, said Obama could win the seat that will be vacated by U.S. Sen. Peter G. Fitzgerald, R-Ill., and help Democrats regain control of the U.S. Senate.
Obama said he was grateful to have Evans’ endorsement.
“It’s a major boost to my candidacy to win in the United States Senate and provide a voice for so many people that desperately need one,” Obama said.
Evans’ announcement is the first high-profile endorsement in the race. Other Democratic candidates downplayed the endorsement.
Illinois Comptroller Daniel W. Hynes, who is planning a run for Senate, released a list of endorsements from 93 elected officials and 17 Democratic Party county chairmen within Evans’ district.
Chris Mather, communications director for the Hynes campaign, said local politicians and party leaders are familiar with Hynes. “The support Dan Hynes has from the elected officials and the county chairmen is solid,” Mather said.
Local elected officials on Hynes’ list include Rock Island County Recorder Patricia Veronda, Treasurer Luann Kerr, Sheriff Michael Grchan, Auditor Diana L. Robinson and Circuit Clerk Lisa Bierman.
Candidate Blair Hull, a Chicago investment banker, is not fazed by the endorsement, said Mo Elleithe, Hull’s communications director.
“Blair’s campaign is not about endorsements. It’s not about reaching out to the professional politicians,” Elleithe said. “It’s about reaching out to the people.”
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