By Nick Gale, WLS-AM

(CHICAGO) It’s a bit of a surprise, but the usually conservative Chicago Tribune has endorsed Democrat Tammy Duckwoth in the U.S. Senate Race.

After years of endorsing U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, the Tribune editorial board today said it can’t endorse him in this years battle against Duckworth. The paper cites his health saying, “our reluctant judgment is that, due to forces beyond his control, Kirk no longer can perform to the fullest the job of a U.S. senator.”

Former Tribune political writer and former Obama adviser David Axelrod tells Big John and Ray on WLS-AM 890 that the Senate could change hands.

“I think the republicans will have a tough time hanging on to the senate but it is certainly an open question at this point.,” Axelrod said.

He says he thinks Kirk “is in deep trouble” in a race that has been very close and very expensive.

Kirk suffered a stroke in January 2012 but his doctors have said he is in good cognitive health.

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