Wednesday, February 27, 2013
McKinley faces an uphill climb in a district long dominated by Democrats.
Paul McKinley will be the Republican candidate on the ballot for the April 9 general election to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. McKinley had just under 1,000 votes as of Feb. 27, 1:30 a.m., most of which came from South Suburban Cook County and Chicago. Heavy snowfall throughout Election Day helped to keep voter turnout in the mid-teens, while the candidates made their way to several polling locations in the 2nd District. Join Patch with a user account: Join the discussion on Facebook:
Kelly will appear on the general election ballot in April.
After less than three months of campaigning, Robin Kelly has solidified her place on the ballot for the April 9 general election to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Candidate Debbie Halvorson’s media contact Sean Howard told Patch Halvorson called Kelly around 8 p.m. to concede, offering well wishes. They agreed to meet up soon to discuss Kelly’s agenda. Kelly had just shy of 31,000 votes as of Feb. 27 1:30 a.m., most of which came from South Suburban Cook County (that's us). Heavy snowfall throughout Election Day helped to keep voter turnout in the mid-teens, while the candidates made their way to several polling locations in the 2nd District. Join Patch with a user account: Join the discussion on Facebook:
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
To help you make a truly informed decision on Feb. 26, Chicago Heights Patch editor Christopher Paicely is conducting one-on-one interviews with every candidate willing to sit down with him.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Fatimah Muhammad says she received text messages from someone named Matthew, telling her to endorse Kelly.
Second District candidate Fatimah Muhammad said she was sitting next to Robin Kelly at a forum in Matteson when she received text messages urging her to support Kelly. Muhammad said she was participating in a forum at Victory Apostolic Church on Monday, Feb. 18, when she received a text message stating, "ASA. If you're serious about a future in politics you should consider giving your support to Robin Kelly at today's candidates Forum. Matthew" Muhammad sent the rest of the exchange in an email: 2:04pm - (my reply) "Timing?" 2:10pm - "You got the media today and can make yourself look good on stage with Robin" 2:28pm - "Each candidate usually gets a final comment. Wait until then to make your dramatic and heartfelt announcement of support…
Despite a slew of recent endorsements for Kelly and a major dropout, Halvorson moved ahead of the former state representative going into the weekend.
Poll results, released Friday, put Debbie Havorson at the top of the Democrats going into the 2nd District special primary election, according to the Daily-Journal. The poll used 500 voters likely to cast a ballot in the Feb. 26 election, and showed the former congressman now leads with 21 percent of the vote. Robin Kelly is second in line with 17 percent. Halvorson talked about the results in a prepared statement, implying that they are not all that surprising and that they only confirm "what other polls — outside the Robin Kelly campaign — have indicated." Victory Research conducted the poll, from Feb. 17 through Feb. 19, for WCKG AM Radio. The results of the Feb. 26 primary election will reveal which Democrat and which Republican …
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Our hub page for all the Patch exclusive interviews with 2nd District election candidates.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The 58-year-old Dolton man has become known for his unrelenting criticism of the many forums leading up to the Feb. 26 primary election.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, I met Charles Rayburn at Governors State University, just after a candidate debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Rayburn declined to be videotaped but shared a lot of his views via an audio interview. The candidate was as passionate as ever about his stance on the issues as well as his beef with the way this election has been handled thus far. Housing Rayburn says as an insurance producer he has done more to stop foreclosures than his opponent Ernest B. Fenton, because he lets people know up front when they can't afford to buy a home and gives them the right deductibles when they can. Gun Legislation Rayburn says a ban on assault rifles is not enough to fight gun violence. He says he refuses to get into the…
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The state senator now pledges to put her support behind Robin Kelly for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s former seat.
Toi Hutchinson announced Sunday that she has withdrawn from the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat, and will be backing Robin Kelly to oppose former congresswoman Debbie Halvorson. "Robin is a friend, and has captured momentum in pulling our community together," said Hutchinson in a release. "I am simply unwilling to risk playing a role going forward that could result in dividing our community at time when we need unity more than ever. In the wake of horrendous gun related crimes all across our country, I agree with Robin that we need to stand together to fight gun violence, but Debbie Halvorson been (sic) wrong headed in her refusal to moderate her views on banning dangerous assault weapons." Hutchinson recently came under …
Friday, February 15, 2013
Haynes says his background has given him a "specialized knowledge" about how businesses work and how to create jobs.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, I met Gregory Haynes at his home in Lynwood. Haynes has an extensive background in workforce development and said he believes, for that reason, he could bring jobs to the 2nd District. Haynes talked about the Peotone airport project as if it is just one bullet-point in a long list of economic building blocks for the district. Visit Gregory Haynes's candidate profile on Patch to watch his speech about the 2nd District. Jobs Jobs, jobs, jobs. That was by far Haynes's chief concern for the district. Haynes said he would make sure enough money is appropriated for the public employment service system. He said he wants to make sure these parts of the government have enough resources to connect employers with potential …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Muhammad, who refers to herself as Dr. Hip-Hop, explains how her current role as a teacher at Chicago State University inspired her to run for the coveted congressional seat.
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, I met Fatimah Muhammad on the South Side of Chicago. Muhammad is an assistant professor at Chicago State University and was inspired to run for office when she found out some of the problems at the school could be solved at the legislative level. Muhammad noted that she is not a politician and considers a vote for her to be a vote to elevate the people of the 2nd District to power. Visit Fatimah Muhammad's candidate profile on Patch to watch his speech about the 2nd District. Education Since she is a teacher, it's no surprise Muhammad placed education as her primary concern for the district. Muhammad said she would look for a way to bring more federal dollars to the 2nd District for the purpose of improving education…
Sherrie Wilks
8:49 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Go for it we need somebody that can do the job , not the same old machine so get out there and be heard so you can win !!!!!!! more ›