Robin Kelly Wins Illinois' 2nd Congressional District Seat

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Robin Kelly
Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly has won the race to Illinois' 2nd Congressional District seat, defeating GOP nominee Paul McKinley by a margin of 80 percent (at press time) in the special election to fill vacancy left by former U.S. Congressman, Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Kelly, a former state representative who spoke out against and quickly became the voice for gun control during the special election primary, gained huge momentum when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super PAC poured $2 million into anti-gun television ads, won the special Feb. 23, 2013 primary with 54 percent of the vote in the very crowded race.

Kelly has championed gun control and the limiting of gun violence throughout her campaign, previously applying pressure to her political opponents in both the Democratic primary and in the general election to reveal their stance and voting record on gun control legislation and the organizations they have supported.

Already armed with heavyweight endorsements including those of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (Dist. 1st) and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (Dist. 7th), Kelly more than sealed the deal by picking up President Barack Obama's endorsement last week.

"I share Robin's passionate advocacy to end gun violence with common sense solutions because like her, I believe families impacted by gun violence--especially in my home city of Chicago, deserve a vote," Obama said of Kelly. "As a member of Congress, Robin will help us get that vote and that's why I urge you to elect Robin Kelly as your representative in the United States Congress."

Kelly has known President Obama for years dating back to their time working together in the Illinois state legislature.

Robin Kelly has a history of serving the citizens of Illinois in several different offices; she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2003 to 2007; served as the Chief of Staff to Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in 2007; and in 2011 Kelly was appointed Chief administrative Officer for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle before quitting to run for Congressional office.

McKinley, Kelly's Republican and primary opponent, is a convicted ex-felon who served 20 years in state prison for 6 felony counts of armed robberies, burglaries, and aggravated battery. McKinley won the Republican primary over Eric Wallace of Flossmoor, IL by a reported 23 votes. McKinley's key campaign message was that he would fight 'Machine controlled-Democrats' if elected. McKinley stated on his campaign website, "I'm not running against a candidate, I'm running against the Machine."

By Lee Edwards

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