But three U.S. senators have been defeated for re-election in this state since 1984. She could make it a race. He easily defeated Salvi, whose opposition to gun control and abortion rights made him unacceptable to ticket-splitting independents and moderate Republicans. Wood could give Durbin his toughest contest in 20 years. She is a moderate in the tradition of former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, who resigned this week to become head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.
Wood has a strong record in supporting a woman's right to reproductive choice.
Like Whitman, she opposed legislation to ban late-term abortions. Wood, who is a breast cancer survivor, has done good work in promoting women's health initiatives. Based on his incumbency and name recognition, Durbin is favored to win re-election. He is an energetic campaigner with a flair for self-promotion. But Wood is also a hard worker and has more star quality than the bland incumbent.