CHICAGO - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the MoveOn.org crowd have decided what's best for 2nd CD Democrats. Voters will be deciding who should fill Jesse Jackson Jr's shoes in Chicago southern suburbs, all the way out into more conservative Will County. Bloomberg's millions of dollars and MoveOn.org's thousands of members in the 2nd CD have rejected Debbie Halvorson and are pushing for Robin Kelly in next Tuesday's Democratic primary.
An overwhelming 76% of MoveOn.org members in Illinois' 2nd District voted decisively to endorse Robin Kelly in the Democratic primary in the special election for the U.S. House, a press release said Wednesday morning. "Kelly earned the support of more than 21,000 MoveOn.org members across Illinois‘ 2nd district."
Among the reasons for this endorsement, Robin Kelly, a former state representative, has successfully sponsored bills to protect consumers from fraud, support economic development, and increase the minimum wage. Kelly has also been a leader against gun violence. In her very first bill passed in the Illinois legislature, she was joined by then State Senator Barack Obama on a measure that reduced gun violence by making it illegal for someone to purchase guns on behalf of someone who had failed a background check.
With the Illinois’ 2nd District’s primary coming up on Tuesday, February 26th, MoveOn.org members are mobilizing to get voters to the polls for Robin.
“This primary is a clear opportunity for voters to reject the National Rifle Association and send a progressive to Congress who will fight for legislation that will reduce gun violence in Illinois and across the country,” said Ilya Sheyman, campaign director of MoveOn Political Action.
"My campaign is not about me, but about the people, and that is why I am proud to have the support of a grassroots driven, goals oriented organization like MoveOn," said Robin Kelly in response to MoveOn.org members endorsing her candidacy. "I would like to thank the thousands of members who have thrown their support behind me. I will not let you down!”
