An influential Jewish political action committee switched its endorsement in a Chicago-area congressional race to a Democrat for the first time in years.
The Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs, an influential Chicago-area PAC, on Thursday endorsed Dan Seals as a candidate in a suburban congressional district with a substantial Jewish presence.
JACPAC for years had endorsed U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a moderate Republican in Illinois' 10th district with a strong pro-Israel record.
JACPAC's signature issues are support for Israel, church-state separation and reproductive choice.
Kirk is the Republican nominee for the open Senate seat once occupied by President Obama.