Illinois Reps. Danny K. Davis and Bobby L. Rush are wading into the crowded special election to replace former Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr.

The Democratic duo will back Cook County Chief Administrative Officer Robin Kelly in the coming days, according to two sources with close knowledge of the situation.

Their support caps several strong days for Kelly, who received the Chicago Tribune’s endorsement last night. The winner of the Feb. 26 Democratic primary will come to Congress in all likelihood, given the district’s heavy Democratic composition.

This week, Kelly became the first candidate in the race to hit the airwaves. She released a poll showing her leading the Democratic field in the 2nd District. She’s benefited from more than $820,000 in spending from a super PAC run by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Independence USA PAC.

Bloomberg’s PAC has targeted the best-known candidate in the primary field, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, over her support for gun rights. It’s a salient issue for the district on Chicago’s South Side, which has experienced an incredible wave of gun violence in recent years. Jackson, a Democrat, resigned late last year and has admitted to campaign finance violations in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors reported on Friday.

In addition to Halvorson and Kelly, Alderman Anthony Beale, state Sen. Toi Hutchinson and former Rep. Mel Reynolds are also running in the Democratic primary.