SPRINGFIELD - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Hughes took aim at fellow Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk Monday saying Kirk doesn't hold the political views Republicans are looking for.

At a news conference, Hughes said he's more conservative than Kirk, a five-term Congressman. He took issue with Kirk's vote against the so-called surge of troops in Iraq and vote for President Barack Obama's cap-and-trade legislation.

"Mark Kirk is way outside that mainstream," Hughes said.

Kirk's campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hughes, 40, is a real estate developer and political rookie from Hinsdale. Kirk represents a Congressional district north of Chicago.

Hughes and Kirk join former southern Illinois judge Don Lowery and publisher Eric Wallace as Republican candidates for the Senate seat.