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Rep. Tammy Duckworth Exploring Senate Run

(CBS) -- Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth told CBS 2 she is "actively exploring" running against Republican incumbent Mark Kirk for the U.S. Senate in 2016.

Duckworth, 46, gave birth to a girl last November and is currently on maternity leave from the House. She told CBS 2 that the birth would not be an impediment to conducting a statewide campaign and that she has been encouraged by people asking her to run.

The Iraq war veteran lost both her legs when the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in November 2004. Her right arm also was severely injured in the attack.

Last November, Duckworth was elected to her second term as U.S. Representative from Illinois' 8th District.

Kirk, 55, is also a military veteran and served in the U.S. House for 10 years prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, defeating Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in 2010. In 2012, Kirk suffered a stroke but was able to return to the Senate in 2013.

Duckworth has not assembled any campaign staff yet, but a formal announcement is expected in several weeks.

Kirk issued a statement saying that he, "looks forward to a vigorous campaign....there will be plenty of time for politics."

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