Robin Kelly (D), former Cook County Chief Administration Officer, has won the Illinois 2nd District special election. Kelly easily beat opponent Paul McKinley (R), an ex con charged with armed robberies and burglaries, in Tuesday’s special election. The 2nd District is heavily Democratic and Kelly was favored to win.
The real competition for this seat was in the Democratic Primary, where gun control was a major player. Kelly beat out several other well known Democrats, including former Rep. Debbie Halvorson and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale. Michael Bloomberg’s super PAC, Independence USA, spent over $2 million in the primary, supporting Kelly for her pro gun control stance and attacking her opponents.
Kelly fills in the vacant seat left by former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Jackson Jr. resigned last November during a pending ethics investigation (he recently pled guilty to federal charges of misusing campaign funds) and after being on medical leave for a mental illness.
With Kelly’s win, the House breakdown will be 232 R, 201 D and 2 vacancies (SC 1, MO 8).
The real competition for this seat was in the Democratic Primary, where gun control was a major player. Kelly beat out several other well known Democrats, including former Rep. Debbie Halvorson and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale. Michael Bloomberg’s super PAC, Independence USA, spent over $2 million in the primary, supporting Kelly for her pro gun control stance and attacking her opponents.
Kelly fills in the vacant seat left by former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Jackson Jr. resigned last November during a pending ethics investigation (he recently pled guilty to federal charges of misusing campaign funds) and after being on medical leave for a mental illness.
With Kelly’s win, the House breakdown will be 232 R, 201 D and 2 vacancies (SC 1, MO 8).
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