IL-2 special election: Robin Kelly v. NRA, ISRA, Hutchinson, Halvorson, et al

Robin Kelly is running for the House of Representatives as a Democrat from the 2nd Illinois Congressional district. Robin Kelly is one of 16 Democratic candidates running in this district in the primary election being held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013.

Frankly, the Democratic primary election in this particular Congressional district is the general election.

What it also means is the winner will be the Congressman for a very long time, since incumbents are nearly impossible to knock out in an indigo Blue district such as the 2nd district.

Robin Kelly isn't just running against 15 other opponents. Robin Kelly is running against the National Rifle Association (NRA). Robin Kelly is running against the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA). Robin Kelly is running against former Congresswomen Debbie Halvorson, in other words, the NRA and the ISRA. Robin Kelly is running against Illinois state senator Toi Hutchinson, in other words, the NRA and the ISRA.

That leaves 13 other opponents on the Democratic side, and frankly, of little serious significance since this race comes down to Robin Kelly, Debbie Halvorson and Toi Hutchinson.

Did I mention the NRA (and the ISRA) as significant opponents?

Since this is an "an indigo Blue district," we certainly don't want to be stuck with Debbie Halvorson or Toi Hutchinson. Along with them comes the NRA (and the ISRA), in case I didn't mention them.

Markos Moulitsas of the Daily Kos endorsed Robin Kelly for Congress, a move that solidifies her standing as the "true" progressive in the race for the Illinois 2nd Congressional district. Markos Moulitsas is "the leading" progressive voice in America and the Daily Kos is "the leading" progressive platform in America.

That is really what this race is all about. As Markos posted in his initial endorsement on Feb.1, 2013 that this race is "a proxy battle in the war for sane gun policy."

Kelly is perfect on our Orange to Blue Candidate Questionnaire, which is to be assumed in this district. But who could've predicted that we'd get a very real chance to deal a blow to the NRA, in this turf, at this time?
We need to tear the NRA out of Congress, not strengthen its influence. Bloomberg's anti-gun Super PAC is already softening up the frontrunner, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson. We can and should do our part to join the effort.

You want real gun reform? Make the NRA radioactive. Get engaged in this battle with a $3 contribution to Robin Kelly. Heck, give more if you can. The primary is Feb. 26, so we don't have much time.

As Markos points out, this is a battle to take the air out of the NRA balloon, which for far too long has been influential in American politics and controlling the debate about guns.

The election of Robin Kelly will be a giant first step toward diminishing the influence of this toxic group.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has long recognized the undue influence of the NRA. However, Mayor Bloomberg doesn't just talk the talk. He walks the walk by stepping into the race to fill the 2nd Illinois Congressional district seat by producing this video and backing it with $400K.

Debbie Halvorson has earned an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) by virtue of her voting record. Halvorson's main opponent, Robin Kelly, by contrast, has an "F" rating from the NRA.

The Independence USA PAC said that is has "purchased" significant TV air time to blast the candidacy of Debbie Halvorson. Here is that video that has been blasted on the airwaves of the Chicago market.

Judging by Halvorson and Hutchinson trying to dance away from this issue, the question arises: Can they be trusted?

Robin Kelly is the only candidate in the race to issue a five-point pledge to combat gun violence. This plan is the following and is in line with President Obama's plan to reduce gun violence in the streets of America.

• Pass a strong, comprehensive ban on assault weapons.
• Eliminate the gun show loophole.

• Ban the use of high capacity ammunition magazines, like those used in Newtown and Aurora.

• Pledge never to receive support from organizations, like the NRA, that oppose reasonable gun safety legislation.

• Support current laws that prohibit conceal and carry permits.

In a new development, the Chicago Sun Times reported today that only three of the sixteen Democratic candidates for the 2nd Illinois Congressional district special election, filed the proper disclosure forms. Robin Kelly was one of the three candidates that filed properly.

The filings are required by federal law and ask the candidates running for Congress to lay out their finances, including their debts, their spouse’s employment and their investments. The filing requirement is part of the "Ethics in Government Act," and failure to comply can result in a $50,000 fine.

Toi Hutchinson failed to file on time, and while her campaign claimed she has already filed, the records of the House do not back up that assertion, according to the Chicago Sun Times story today. Hutchinson gave a copy of the disclosure to the Chicago Sun Times.

Given the circumstances surrounding former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation, compliance with a simple filing should be routine for a well-run, organized campaign.

The filings showed that Robin Kelly, who resigned in December from Cook County under Toni Preckwinkle, disclosed a salary last year of $170,000 and a spouse’s salary of $140,000.

Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions, johnpresta@att.net.

John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books. John has volunteered for many political campaigns and is currently an unpaid volunteer for the Robin Kelly for Congress campaign. Robin Kelly also has a facebook fan page.