Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois says he'll vote to support Loretta Lynch's nomination for U.S. attorney general.
He's the fifth GOP senator to announce support for Lynch, removing any doubt that she'll be confirmed when the Senate votes in coming weeks.
Kirk told attendees of the City Club of Chicago on Thursday that he spoke with Lynch about the need to fight gang violence in Chicago and was impressed with her response.
President Barack Obama nominated her last year to replace Eric Holder.
Democrats allege Republicans have been unfairly holding up the confirmation, though Democrats controlled the Senate when she was first nominated and failed to call it up for a vote.
Most Republican senators say they oppose Lynch's nomination because she supports Obama's executive action on immigration.
