Party Nominees Selected in IL-11 Special Election

Former Cook County CEO Robin Kelly (D) easily won the special Democratic primary to replace resigned Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. earlier this week. She outdistanced former Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.-11) and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale 52-25-11 percent. Sixteen candidates received votes, but only the aforementioned three broke into double-digits. Cook County accounted for 82 percent of the votes cast. Though Halvorson received 63 and 66 percent of the vote in her two counties of strength, their aggregate total vote was quadrupled in Cook County. Kelly broke 58 percent in Cook; Beale was second. In the city of Chicago precincts, Halvorson could only garner 9 percent of the vote. The special general election will be held April 9, but is merely a formality. The Republican nomination went to Paul McKinley, a multi-time convicted felon, who didn't even receive 1,000 votes. For more information, please contact David Ashinoff at (202) 547-5013 or ashinoffd@agc.org.