Three Democratic contenders aiming to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois are pressing him to take a definitive position on who should choose a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
In a Tuesday statement, Kirk says it's first important to honor Scalia's life. He didn't elaborate on when he'd publicized his position. Plans for Scalia's funeral haven't been set.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says President Barack Obama's successor should fill the vacancy. Vulnerable GOP incumbents in other states have followed suit. But, Obama says it's his constitutional duty to name a choice.
The Democratic candidates in Illinois are U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, former Chicago Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp and state Sen. Napoleon Harris.