State Sen. Trotter Dropping Out Of Race For Jackson Jr.'s Seat

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Dec 28, 2012 9:00PM

State Sen. Donne Trotter is dropping out of the race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in the second congressional district, the Sun-Times reports.

Trotter was among the leading candidates to replace Jackson Jr. until he was arrested for trying to take a handgun through airport security.

“He doesn’t want to tarnish the election and because he feels it would be unfair to the voters to be with this cloud hanging over his head, with all these issues,” a source told the Sun-Times.

If that scandal wasn't enough, the Sun-Times reported last week that Trotter once tried to derail the state's efforts to recoup $1.25 million from a now-indicted former Country Club Hills police chief.

Trotter also works as a security guard, and he has a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card for the handgun and a permit to work as a security guard. Trotter said he didn't realize the handgun was in the bag when he packed it.