CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois legislator Robin Kelly has won the Democratic primary to replace disgraced former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Kelly, from the southern Chicago suburb of Matteson, won Tuesday's special election.
That means the former Illinois House member will face the winner of the Republican primary in the April 9 special election. She's entering the race with a big advantage because the Chicago-area 2nd Congressional District is heavily Democratic.
Kelly is a strong supporter of gun control. Her campaign benefited from a $2 million ad campaign funded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super PAC. The ads targeted one of her two opponents, former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, for her position on guns.
Jackson resigned in November. He pleaded guilty this month to spending about $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items
