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  "path": "/elections/2026/02/24/2nd-congressional-district-march-democratic-primary-robin-kelly-seat",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-24T11:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>As former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. tries to mount a splashy political comeback, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is leading fundraising in a crowded 10-candidate field to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in the 2nd Congressional District.</p><p>State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, has the progressive backing, including an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.</p><p>In May, Kelly <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/05/06/rep-robin-kelly-senate-bid-dick-durbin\" >launched her bid </a>to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Dick Durbin, setting in motion an open primary in the district she has represented since 2013. The sprawling district includes South Side neighborhoods, several south suburbs, including Chicago Heights, Dolton and South Holland, as well as parts of central Illinois, including Kankakee and Danville. </p><p>Rounding out the Democratic primary field are State Sen. Willie Preston, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board member Yumeka Brown, Adal Regis, who worked in Kelly’s district office; management consultant Eric France, attorney Patrick “PJK” Keating, Toni C. Brown and Sidney Moore. The only Republican candidate on the ballot in the primary is Mike Noack.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-640000\" name=\"image-640000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9aca875/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c6648a1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d38c543/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Illinois Congressional District 2 Democratic candidates (clockwise from top left): Yumeka Brown, Adal Regis, Willie Preston, Patrick “PJK” Keating, Sidney Moore, and Eric France. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d38c543/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3481002/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d38c543/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5c%2F34%2F067b9f7642e2ad136d34916a398b%2F2nd-2.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Illinois Congressional District 2 Democratic candidates (clockwise from top left): Yumeka Brown, Adal Regis, Willie Preston, Patrick “PJK” Keating, Sidney Moore, and Eric France. Toni C. Brown and Republican candidate Mike Noack are not pictured. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Sun-Times file and provided photos</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>‘Unfinished work’</h3><p>Jackson Jr. launched his comeback campaign in October, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2025/10/07/jesse-jackson-jr-congressional-run-2nd-distsrict-jesse-jackson-sr-84th-birthday\" >announcing his run</a> on his father, civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s 84th birthday. He had been traveling the district for months, “exploring” a run.</p><p>Jackson Jr., 60, said he has some unfinished business after leaving Congress in 2012 amid mental health issues, and ultimately, federal charges lodged against him for misusing his campaign funds.</p><p>“My campaign is about connecting the second congressional district of Illinois to the global economy. That's the unfinished work of my 17 years of service in the Congress,” Jackson Jr., referring to his longtime push for a third Chicago airport in Peotone. “...That's the unfinished work of what's missing on the economy of the South Side of Chicago. None of my opponents have that record, that history or that work in order to get this project completed.”</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-400000\" name=\"image-400000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f207c23/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04ecc13/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e5ddb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Illinois Congressional District 2 candidate Jesse Jackson, Jr., participates at a forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Feb. 5, 2026.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e5ddb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/83b111d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e5ddb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+39/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F64%2Fb0%2Fdb6c07454a3b95c9cba16d537d1b%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7017.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Illinois Congressional District 2 candidate Jesse Jackson, Jr., participates at a forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Feb. 5, 2026.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Jackson Jr. says he wants to expand the Affordable Care Act, “not to ditch it, not to dump it, but to make it even more popular than it is today by including dental, vision and hearing and bringing more Americans into the system.”</p><p>And despite behind-the-scenes rumblings from other campaigns about Jackson Jr.’s mental health struggles, the former congressman said he has been open with his struggles — noting members of Congress have access to mental health care.</p><p>“I've struggled with depression all of my life,” Jackson Jr. said. “So did Martin Luther King Jr., so have other U.S presidents.”</p><p>Jackson Jr. said he’s heard from young voters with mental health struggles — noting many are from a generation that has grappled with school shootings.</p><p>“I am particularly grateful for at least the conscious observation that I've made with young people who are far more understanding of mental health than you know, say, even the older generation,” Jackson Jr. said.</p><p>Asked if a congressional win will move him one step away from his past, Jackson Jr. said he’s grappled with his mistakes, and he expects them “to present themselves in different ways.”</p><p>“I've come to accept who I am,” Jackson Jr. said. “I've come to accept the mistakes that I've made in my life.”</p><h3>‘I’m part of the community’</h3><p>Miller is serving her second term as 6th District commissioner on the Cook County Board. She is pushing for Medicare for All, maternal health and reproductive justice and for good jobs and lower costs for working families, among other policy priorities. She served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and said she would push for Congress to codify Roe v. Wade.</p><p>But there has been a glaring spotlight on Miller’s fundraising. According to Federal Election Commission disclosures for October to December, Miller reported at least $875,000 from donors who have given to American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) or its affiliated super PAC, the United Democracy Project, since 2023. Peters’ campaign is also pointing to money they say is coming from Trump donors. And Jewish Insider and other outlets have reported that newly formed super PACs Elect Chicago Women and Affordable Chicago Now are running ads boosting Miller, State Sen. Laura Fine in her 9th Congressional District run and former Rep. Melissa Bean in her 8th District run. All three are viewed as moderate pro-Israel candidates. Those PACs won't have to disclose their donors until close to Election Day. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ac0000\" name=\"image-ac0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4e84cc0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4a3896e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/707119f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"ook County Commissioner Donna Miller attends a news conference at the Cook County Health Professional Building in the Illinois Medical District.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/707119f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/82fcb7e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/707119f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5891x3306+0+310/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe4%2Fe8%2Fd1b58187421787f5a1a8a53a5107%2Fstrogerpresser-010126-10.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>“I don't have any MAGA donors. People are contributing to my campaign because I have a strong record. My message is resonating. This is what I'm talking about out in the field,” Miller said. “And who's talking about these other issues? I haven't heard anyone talk about it until my opponents realize that they're losing and they want to attack me.”</p><p>Asked if she supported “unconditional military aid for Israel,” Miller said, “Israel does have a right to exist.”</p><p>“I also come from a military family, so I understand the impact that the military has when we're talking about securing our democracy,” Miller said. “So I do feel that we need to make sure that we have a strong Middle East.”</p><p>Miller was the lone candidate to air TV ads in January.</p><p>As for Jackson’s comeback bid, Miller referenced a poll commissioned by her campaign in December that showed Jackson Jr.’s favorability at 44% and unfavorability at 42%. About 44% of the 400 likely primary voters were undecided. </p><p>“My record is strong with voters. People have seen me out in the community. I'm part of the community, and have been for decades now,” Miller said. “I didn't leave and never come back.”</p><h3>‘Broader, bigger version’</h3><p>Peters, who was appointed to the state Senate in 2019 to succeed Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, says he’s been talking about Medicare for All since 2015 and abolishing ICE since 2019. And he’s been attacking large financial institutions for their impact on housing for almost a decade as an organizer, then as a state senator.</p><p>“I think it’s just the fact that I have a pretty strong track record of actually fighting for these policies,” Peters said. “Taking on the insurance industry and passing the Illinois Healthcare Protection Act with the governor. Taking on the fact that our hospital infrastructure, healthcare infrastructure has been chronically underfunded. When I was the chair of the Senate Black caucus, pushing to move hundreds of millions of dollars to safety net hospitals.”</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f10000\" name=\"image-f10000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0d29a2e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2eeda25/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f03e60d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Illinois State Senator Robert Peters speaks about the pause of services in Wisconsin during a press conference at 651 W Washington Boulevard, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f03e60d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/050eb42/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f03e60d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5998x3366+0+317/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F11%2F79%2F87dd5b2a46c09c99a75835d57163%2Fwiscabortion-092625-07.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Illinois State Senator Robert Peters. </p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>He also helped to create the Property Tax Payment Task Force and helped pass a law to implement a property tax click payment system so people don’t lose their home due to tax sales.</p><p>Peters says that’s proof of his track record — and that he has a “broader, bigger vision” than his competitors.</p><p>Peters has raised $903,000 from more than 30,000 donors since entering the race in May 2025.</p><p></p><h3>‘A radically transparent person’</h3><p></p><p>Preston, who was elected to the state Senate in 2022 and chairs the Senate Legislative Black Caucus, advocates building trade schools “to rebuild the next generation of carpenters, plumbers and electricians.” He was also among a vocal minority to protest House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ push to further gerrymander Illinois districts last year.</p><p>“For me, when it came down to us here in the second congressional district in the state of Illinois, gerrymandering here was not something that we should have engaged in,” Preston said. “And I was very vocal to the point that leader Jeffries came to the city of Chicago to meet with myself in particular, and some other leaders in the Black Caucus.”</p><p>Preston said his pushback to stretching the district all the way to the Kentucky border makes him stand out in the crowded field to replace Kelly.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-000000\" name=\"image-000000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/84d227e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/abb64b3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f7f7011/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Illinois Congressional District 2 candidate Willie Preston\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f7f7011/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/95cf26f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f7f7011/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+89/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2F47%2F011417c2441e95765c43afed86ed%2Fcongress2nd-260301-7028.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Illinois Congressional District 2 candidate Willie Preston participates at a forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Feb. 5, 2026.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>“Not one of these candidates raised a peep. They didn't say a word. And so they were willing to give away the people of the 2nd congressional district, because they wanted to be good boys and good girls and not have any type of confrontation with the party leader,” Preston said. “And to me, I think that that is a failure in leadership, and it's evidence that they don't have a fighting bone inside their bodies.”</p><p>Fighting words aside, Preston has had to speak out about reports of a past domestic violence charge — and previous comments he made online about former President Joe Biden. He called the criminal charge “the least proud moment” of his life.</p><p>“I didn't lie about it. I admitted it. I am a radically transparent person, and that is something we need in this party. That's what we need. We need somebody that's radically transparent,” Preston said. “Because people aren't stupid and the same old, same old tactics won't work.”</p><h3>Packed field</h3><p>Brown served as village clerk of Matteson, and currently as a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner. She said she’s running because she believes in environmental justice, clean water and safe streets, affordable healthcare, jobs that pay a living wage and strong public schools.</p><p>Regis said he helped secure millions in federal funding for local governments, small businesses and nonprofits while working in Kelly’s office. As director of strategy at a Chicago-based environmental nonprofit, he leads clean energy and climate resilience initiatives in neighborhoods that need investment. He says that experience would equip him to advocate for affordable housing, public safety, environmental equity and economic opportunity.</p><p>France, a strategist, says the state must extend existing public transportation and expand airports to support the movement of cargo and passenger traffic. He also supports expanding affordable housing in the district and by pushing federal down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers.</p><p>Keating, a Flossmoor resident, is a trial and appellate lawyer. He calls himself a “common sense Democrat,” and says Democrats and a functioning Congress “must be defined by what we as the majority are for, not just who we are against.”</p><p>Moore, who worked on several political campaigns, also ran for Illinois Secretary of State in 2022. He says he’s not a career politician and isn’t run by party politics or special interests.</p><p>“I believe Congress needs more everyday people who understand what working families go through,” Moore said.</p>",
  "title": "Jackson Jr.'s comeback bid, AIPAC dollars heat up race to replace Robin Kelly",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-24T11:30:12.653Z"
}