WASHINGTON--The annual AIPAC policy conference here--American Israel Public Affairs Committee--drew Democratic and GOP Illinois candidates looking for Jewish-American support.

Illinois GOP Senate nominee Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.), who is making his support for Israel a major part of his campaign, hosted a group of Illinois AIPAC members--about 100 at a session at a hotel here on Tuesday afternoon. I'm told by someone who was there he was "warmly received."

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) was also seen introducing around AIPAC the Illinois Democratic Senate nominee, state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Durbin was an honorary host for a bi-partisan Illinois delegation reception in honor of Lee Rosenberg - the incoming president of AIPAC, who is from Chicago - Monday night, but he did not attend.

Democrat Dan Seals and Republican Bob Dold, candidates running for Kirk's vacant House seat--in the heavily Jewish 10th Congressional District--also hit the AIPAC conference. Dold also made some other calls while here.

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), the GOP candidate for Illinois governor also flew here for the conference to woo votes to a community where he is barely known.