SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The head of the Illinois Republican Party says he won’t run for the U.S. Senate if Rep. Mark Kirk decides to run.

The announcement Monday from Andrew McKenna reduces the chances of a major Republican primary battle. That could prompt Kirk to enter the race, a possibility he has been considering for months.

Kirk is a moderate Republican from the Chicago suburbs. Many party leaders have urged him to run for the Senate or governor, but he has been slow to decide.

In the meantime, McKenna began exploring a Senate race.

But McKenna says his top goal is building party unity. McKenna talked with Kirk and says he won’t run for the Senate if Kirk does.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

McKenna’s statement:

“As Party Chairman my goal has been to build Party unity. Mark Kirk and I met last evening as part of an ongoing discussion about the U. S. Senate race. I reassured Mark that if he chooses to be a candidate, I will not oppose him.”

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