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There's A Packed Field For Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Former Congressional Seat

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 8, 2013 7:00PM

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Former Rep. Mel Reynolds
The list of contenders vying for the Second Congressional District seat formerly held by Jesse Jackson Jr. is packed tighter than a can of sardines. Seven candidates filed for the special election last week. That number is now up to 22.

As expected, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who lost a contentious primary election to Jackson last year, is among the candidates. So is convicted former Rep. Mel Reynolds, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), state Sen.-elect Napoleon Harris and former state Rep. Robin Kelly.

Of the 22 candidates to file petitions, only five are Republicans. View the full list here. the primary elections are scheduled for Feb. 26 with the general election set for April 9.