Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk is known as a relatively moderate Republican. But he'll likely be sharing the statewide ticket with a far-right conservative, gubernatorial hopeful Bill Brady.
Kirk is just fine with that, he told reporters over the weekend.
"On some of the social issues, we don't agree, but this is part of the big tent," Kirk said. "I think I'll be strong especially north of I-80. He'll be strong south of I-80. It's a good team."
The differences on social issues are quite stark. Brady wants an all-out ban on abortion, even in cases of rape and if the mother's health is at risk. Mark Kirk is largely pro-choice, and had received a 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America before his vote for the Stupak Amendment. The National Right to Life Committee gives Kirk a 9 percent rating, another pro-choice indicator.
Bill Brady also wants to change the state Constitution to ban gay marriages and civil unions. Mark Kirk voted against several such amendments to the U.S. Constitution during his tenure in the House, and his 75 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign indicates a favorable stance toward gay rights.
Lastly, and maybe most bizarrely, Brady wants to allow Illinois schools to teach creationism. Kirk has come out strongly against creationism, saying that the theory of Intelligent Design "appears to be neither."
Though Brady is in the lead for the GOP governor nomination, the deal isn't sealed yet. Brady leads his opponent Kirk Dillard by only around 200 votes, as results from the Feb. 2 primary are still being tallied in that race. Dillard is significantly more moderate.