CHICAGO — Former state Rep. Robin Kelly countered a top Toi Hutchinson endorsement in the race Tuesday to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress by picking up the support of a previous front-runner.
State Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) threw his support behind the former state legislator from Matteson in the 2nd Congressional District race.
"Robin Kelly is my choice for Congress because she has a clear vision for our future," Trotter said. "Robin has personally been through the economic struggles that too many are facing right now, and come out the other side. We can count on Robin Kelly to fight for us every single day because she knows firsthand what it is like, and that is why I am endorsing her."
Kelly also claimed the endorsements of two other state senators in the district: Kwame Raoul and Majority Whip Mattie Hunter.
Hunter lauded Kelly's stance on gun control, saying, “She’s the best candidate to help get guns off our streets. I’ve examined the NRA records of the other major candidates, and I’m proud to be supporting Robin Kelly, a candidate who got an ‘F’ from the NRA and has put forward a sensible pledge to reduce gun violence."
Kelly has made gun control a key element of her campaign. Yet the Trotter endorsement is a thorny one on that count, as he dropped out of the 2nd Congressional District race after being caught with a handgun in the security check at O'Hare International Airport. He had previously been considered a top contender.
Kelly has previously claimed the endorsements of Chicago Aldermen Will Burns (4th), Leslie Hairston (5th) and Deborah Graham (29th). Hutchinson earned the endorsement of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Monday.
Jackson resigned the seat in February after winning re-election, citing health woes and a pending federal investigation. The Democratic and Republican primaries are Feb. 26, with the general election April 9. Seventeen Democrats and five Republicans are entered in the primaries.
