Former Chicago inspector general David Hoffman picked up the endorsement of a venerable former judge and unveiled a transparency platform Tuesday in his bid for President Obama's former Senate seat.
Retired federal judge, Congressman and Clinton White House counsel Abner Mikva announced his support for Hoffman in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary over rival candidates Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Treasurer, Cheryle Robinson Jackson, recently president of the Chicago Urban League, and attorney Jacob Meister.
"It isn't easy to get an 83-year-old excited about a campaign," Mikva said in a video released by the Hoffman campaign. "But David Hoffman represents exactly what we want in government and public life. He brings the enthusiasm, the vigor, the cleanliness and spotless record that we need."
Mikva compared Hoffman's campaign to Barack Obama's Senate and presidential runs, both of which he supported and both of which he said were against better-known and better-funded opponents.
"I see a lot of similarities," Mikva said. "Barack was probably even a longer shot for both president and for senator than David is. But long shots do happen, and it's exciting and it restores confidence in the people's judgment."
Mikva's endorsement comes just days after he declined to endorse a candidate in the contentious Democratic primary to replace Mark Kirk in the 10th Congressional District.
Hoffman's transparency plans include posting his detailed daily Senate schedule, office budget and salaries online and revealing campaign bundlers in addition to individual donors.
Watch Mikva's endorsement video: