2013 Illinois's 2nd congressional district special election

A special election for Illinois' 2nd congressional district was held on April 9, 2013, to fill a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 2nd congressional district, after Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned on November 21, 2012. The special election was required to be held within 115 days of Jackson's resignation. It was won by Democratic candidate Robin Kelly, formerly the Chief Administrative Officer of Cook County.

Pat Quinn, the Governor of Illinois, set the primary elections for February 26, coinciding with municipal primary elections, and initially set the general election for March 19. However, legislation was enacted at Quinn's request to allow the general election to coincide with municipal general elections held on April 9.

The winner of the Democratic primary was Robin Kelly and Paul McKinley won the Republican Primary. The Green Party nominated 2010 U.S. Senate candidate LeAlan Jones.

Declared

 * Anthony Beale, Alderman
 * John Blyt
 * Patrick O. Brutus
 * Clifford Eagleton
 * Ernest B. Fenton
 * Debbie Halvorson, former U.S. Representative
 * Gregory Haynes
 * Denise A. Hill, Minister (write-in)
 * Robin Kelly, Cook County Chief Administrative Officer (Won primary)
 * Fatimah N. Muhammed
 * Larry D. Pickens
 * Charles Rayburn
 * Mel Reynolds, former U.S. Representative
 * Jonathan Victor
 * Joyce W. Washington, 2004 U.S. Senate candidate
 * Anthony W. Williams, Community Activist

Withdrawn

 * Donne Trotter, State Senator (endorsed Robin Kelly)
 * Napoleon Harris, State Senator (endorsed Robin Kelly)
 * Toi Hutchinson, State Senator (endorsed Robin Kelly)

Declined

 * Sam Adam Jr., attorney
 * Corey Brooks, pastor
 * William D. Burns, Alderman
 * Jonathan Jackson, civil rights activist and Jackson Jr.'s brother
 * Sandi Jackson, Alderman and Jackson Jr.'s wife
 * David E. Miller, former state Representative
 * Todd Stroger, former President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

Did not file

 * James Hickey, President of the Orland Fire Protection District board and candidate for the 11th congressional district in 2012

Polling

 * + Internal poll for Toi Hutchison Campaign
 * ^ Internal poll for Robin Kelly Campaign

Declared

 * Lenny McAllister, political commentator and former radio show host
 * Paul McKinley (Won Primary)
 * Beverly E. Reid
 * Eric M. Wallace

Withdrawn

 * James Taylor Sr., newspaper publisher and candidate for the 2nd congressional district in 2012

Green Party
The Green Party nominated 2010 U.S. Senate candidate and journalist LeAlan Jones to run on the Green Party ticket.

Independent candidates

 * Curtiss Llong Bey
 * Marcus Lewis, postal worker and candidate for the 2nd congressional district in 2012
 * Elizabeth "Liz" Pahlke

Socialist Workers Party

 * John Hawkins, communist political organizer