CHICAGO (AP) — Several Illinois advocacy groups that backed Republican Mark Kirk in past elections are now endorsing his Democratic opponent in the race for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
The groups held a news conference Thursday alongside Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.
Ken Swanson, president of the Illinois Education Association, says Kirk hasn't been consistent in his support.
His comments were echoed by representatives from Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club. The Human Rights Campaign and League of Conservation Voters also say they endorsed Kirk when he ran for Congress but don't support him now.
At a separate event, Kirk said it was no surprise that these "left-leaning" groups would now support the Democrat in the tight Senate race.
His campaign says Kirk has gotten plenty of support from other groups.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
