SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Two candidates are challenging U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in the 2016 Republican primary.

James Marter of Oswego is a businessman who says he is more conservative than Kirk.

Elizabeth Pahlke of Arlington Heights ran unsuccessfully as an independent candidate in the 2013 special election for the 2nd congressional district once held by ex-U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
According to the Federal Election Commission, neither candidate has reported raising any campaign funds. Kirk’s campaign fund held more than $3.6 million as of Sept. 30, the last filing deadline.

Kirk campaign manager Kevin Artl says Kirk has support from “Republican, independent and reform-minded voters across the state.”

Three candidates also are competing in the March 15 Democratic primary. They are U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, state Sen. Napoleon Harris and former prosecutor Andrea Zopp.