Skip to content
RollCall logo

Report: Trotter Quits Special Election in Illinois

By Shira T. Center
Posted December 28, 2012 at 11:44am

State Sen. Donne Trotter will drop out of the special election for ex-Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr.’s seat, according to a report from NBC Chicago.

A Democrat and longtime local lawmaker, Trotter faces charges for attempting to bring a weapon onto a plane at O’Hare International Airport in early December. He told law enforcement officials he forgot the gun was in his bag. He is scheduled to appear in court in January to contest the charges.

Trotter leaves a crowded and complicated primary for the 2nd District, which includes the south side of Chicago, southwestern suburbs and some rural territory west of the stateline. It’s a heavily Democratic district, and the winner of the Feb. 26 primary is expected to be the next member of Congress.

There are at least six, well-known local Democrats in the race: Alderman Anthony Beale, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, former NFL linebacker Napoleon Harris, state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Cook County Chief Administrative Officer Robin Kelly and former Rep. Mel Reynolds.

Initially, Democrats viewed Trotter as a frontrunner to win the party’s endorsement in the slating on Dec. 15. But local party officials were unable to reach a consensus about a candidate when they met.

Conservative analyst Lenny McCallister announced recently that he’s running for the GOP nomination.

Recent Stories

Former President Donald Trump speaks on the last night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18.

Trump goes big on tariffs, floats business relocation penalty

“When I would come here and advocate, I felt empowered. As a patient, it felt like I was more in charge,” says Adam Jardine, who now works for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.

He found a purpose working on the Hill. Now he needs a kidney

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, pictured speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, could be the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Tim Scott in line to chair Senate campaign arm for 2026 cycle

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., right, and his Democratic challenger Tony Vargas hold their debate at the KETV studios in Omaha, Neb., on Oct. 13. Inside Elections is changing the rating for their contest from Toss-up to Tilt Democratic.

Rating Changes: 8 in the House, 2 in the Senate

“Maybe with all the devastation that we’re experiencing, my colleagues and I will come to the conclusion that it may be now or never,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II said.

Cleaver calls for ‘bold’ congressional response to hurricanes

If Congress doesn’t act by the end of next year to replace or extend expiring tax provisions, households of all incomes would see their taxes increase. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Tax veterans see protracted standoff over expiring breaks