UPDATE: Senate Conservatives Fund issued a statement late on Thursday saying that Patrick Hughes is still being considered for endorsement
As Jim mentioned, it was announced earlier today that Senator DeMint and his Senate Conservatives Fund are supporting Michael Williams for Senate in Texas.
DeMint appears to be picking fights he believes he can win. Patrick Hughes, a conservative candidate from Illinois running against a much more moderate Mark Kirk, has received little support. The Illinois businessman had reached out to DeMint in November, and the Conservatives Fund conducted an online poll asking who it should support. Hughes won 73.9 percent of the unscientific vote. In an interview with David Brody released today, Senator DeMint seemed to suggest that Hughes would not receive his endorsement:
“I’ve talked to Patrick. He is very intriguing. I can only help a certain number of candidates. I want to make sure we have viable candidates; folks who have at least some base out there that they can raise some money put together a campaign organization.”
It looks as though Congressman Mark Kirk will not face that much national conservative opposition as the February 2 primary approaches. Kirk has been criticized by the right for his “yes” vote on Cap and Trade as well as his pro-choice views. In 2008, the congressman received a lukewarm “48” rating from American Conservative Union — second to lowest among GOP Congressmen. But as I mentioned last week, there are several reasons why electing a conservative Republican in Illinois this late in the game would be very difficult.
