Skip to content
RollCall logo

Illinois: Obama Endorses Robin Kelly in Special Election (Finally)

Kelly won the Democratic nomination in Illinois' 2nd District. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call)
Kelly won the Democratic nomination in Illinois' 2nd District. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call)
By Abby Livingston
Posted April 2, 2013 at 1:52pm

Democrat Robin Kelly picked up a high-profile, but largely inconsequential, endorsement Tuesday from President Barack Obama.

Kelly is all but assured to win her special-election bid to replace former Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., D-Ill., on April 9. This is a heavily Democratic district, and her GOP opponent, Paul McKinley, is a convicted felon.

“To continue moving America forward, I need partners in the House of Representatives like Robin Kelly,” Obama said in a press release from the Kelly campaign. “I have known Robin for many years and I am confident she is the perfect choice to represent the Illinois 2nd Congressional District.”

Kelly decisively won the Democratic primary in February. Gun control was the primary issue in the race, as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s super PAC spent more than $2 million to boost Kelly in the primary.

Obama’s Chicago home is only a few blocks from the 2nd District. The friendship between Kelly and Obama started when they served in the state legislature together.

Recent Stories

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., faces calls to resign after his indictment Friday on bribery charges.

Menendez rejects New Jersey Democrats’ calls to resign after indictment

A “danger” sign is posted at a work site on the East Front plaza of the Capitol on Wednesday.

Photos of the week ending September 22, 2023

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and the Senate dropping its dress code is a highlight of this week’s Congressional Hits and Misses.

Dressing down — Congressional Hits and Misses

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, and his wife, Nadine, were indicted Friday on bribery charges.

Menendez indictment comes with Democrats playing 2024 defense

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and his wife, Nadine, arrive for a reception honoring of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Mitsotakis in the East Room of the White House in May 2022.

Sen. Bob Menendez and wife indicted on federal bribery charges

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives to the Capitol with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for a meeting with House members on Thursday.

Hill worries mount about delays in arming Ukraine