Race to Watch: Illinois congressional candidates Bob Dold and Dan Seals faced off in a debate Wednesday night, answering questions about Social Security and the economy, and taking jabs at each other the whole way through. Republican Dold criticized Democrat Seals for supporting tax increases and changing his stance on the Bush tax cuts. Seals retorted with an accusation that Dold did not pay payroll taxes for campaign workers. Dold pointed out that the campaign workers were independent contractors who pay their own taxes under federal law, adding “You’re an independent contractor, don’t you know you have to pay taxes on that?” (Daily Herald)
New ratings from the Cook Political Report reflect improved chances for a couple of Jewish challengers in tough congressional races.
Put this story in your “it’s never too early to go for the low blow” file: The blogosphere has been abuzz this week after Andy Lappin, a supporter of Illinois Republican Rep. Mark Kirk, played the anti-Semite card against the two Democratic challengers vying to take the lawmaker on in 2008.
It turns out that Jay Footlik, the former Clinton aide running for Congress in the 10th district of Illinois, will have a primary opponent. Dan Seals, who nearly upset U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in last year’s election, announced today that he will run again.