The Democratic Party of Illinois isn't officially backing any one candidate for U.S. Senate. That has leading Democrats going their own separate ways when it comes to endorsements.
Nationally, Democrats hope their chances of winning back control of the Senate begin in Illinois next year, when Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk faces re-election.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says Democrats' best shot rests with Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. But state Sen. Kwame Raoul says Andrea Zopp is the best qualified for this race.
"Intellectually, and experience-wise, Andi Zopp is the best candidate quite frankly that we've seen in potentially history," Raoul said.
Raoul says yes, even more qualified than President Barack Obama was when he ran for the U.S. Senate back in 2004.
One of Raoul's current colleagues, state Sen. Napoleon Harris, says he wants to go to Washington, D.C., too. If Harris runs, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says Harris will have his support.
Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin is also considering a run.
