* So far, ten Democratic candidates have filed to run in the 2nd Congressional district special primary to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. I’ve deleted addresses from the State Board of Elections’ website. Today is the last day to file, so this list isn’t yet complete…

BLYTH, JOHN

RAYBURN, CHARLES

HAYNES, GREGORY

JONATHAN, VICTOR formerly known as VICTOR ONAFUYE until name changed on Oct 18, 2010

REYNOLDS, MEL “MR”

HARRIS, NAPOLEON

BEALE, ANTHONY A.

KELLY, ROBIN

HUTCHINSON, TOI W.

EAGLETON, CLIFFORD J.

Notice that Debbie Halvorson hasn’t yet filed.

* Add another one. From a press release…

Who: Joyce Washington For Congress

What: Announcement of candidacy for 2nd Congressional District seat.

When: Sunday, January 6th, 2013 9 am.

Where: Grand Tradition Room
Chicago Hilton
720 S. Michigan Ave.

Washington ran for US Senate in 2004.

* Robin Kelly appears to be doing well with fundraising. From a press release…

Robin Kelly, candidate for Illinois’ second Congressional district, released her fundraising numbers for the month of December this morning. After entering the race on December 2, Kelly had 29 days to raise funds before the end of the filing period, which closed December 31.

Kelly amassed a warchest of $200,209 from 514 individual supporters in that short period, reinforcing her status as a frontrunner.

* So, we have three African-American women and eight African-American men and one white woman with high name recognition from her time in Congress and her bid against Jackson last year. If Halvorson can raise a few bucks and doesn’t run an awful campaign, you have to consider her the current frontrunner. Halvorson received 29 percent of the vote against Jackson last March. She probably doesn’t even need that much to win in such a crowded primary.

But, hey, it’s politics, baby, so anything can happen. Stay tuned.

…Adding… Sun-Times…

Last week, state Sen. Toi Hutchinson announced raising more than $130,000
“While December is traditionally the most difficult fundraising month of the year, I’m so humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received in the last four weeks,” Hutchinson said in a statement.

*** UPDATE *** Former state Rep David Miller has decided not to run for the office. Click here to read his statement.