10 Democrats vie for open 2nd Congressional District seat

Crowded field includes political comeback attempt by former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly's decision to launch a bid for the U.S. Senate has set up a contentious 10-person Democratic primary race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat. The crowded field includes a political comeback attempt by former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., as well as Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who is leading fundraising, and State Sen. Robert Peters, who has progressive backing.

Why it matters

The 2nd Congressional District is heavily Democratic, so the primary winner will be favored to replace Kelly, who has held the seat since 2013. The race features a diverse field of candidates with a range of policy priorities, from Medicare for All to environmental justice to economic development.

The details

The Democratic candidates include former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who represented the district from 1995 until his resignation in 2012; Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who is pushing for Medicare for All and reproductive justice; State Sen. Robert Peters, a former community organizer who sponsored the measure to end cash bail in Illinois; State Sen. Willie Preston, the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board member Yumeka Brown, who is focused on environmental justice and clean water; Adal Regis, who worked in Kelly's district office and leads clean energy initiatives; strategist Eric France, who supports expanding public transportation and affordable housing; attorney Patrick 'PJK' Keating, who calls himself a 'commonsense Democrat'; and Sidney Moore, who says he's not a career politician.

  • U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly announced her bid for the U.S. Senate, creating the open 2nd Congressional District race.

The players

Jesse Jackson Jr.

Former Congressman who represented the 2nd Congressional District from 1995 until his resignation in 2012 amid mental health issues and federal charges for misusing campaign funds. He is attempting a political comeback and wants to prioritize getting Chicago its third airport to boost economic development in the south suburbs.

Donna Miller

Cook County Commissioner serving her second term in the 6th District. She is pushing for Medicare for All, maternal health and reproductive justice, and for good jobs and lower costs for working families.

Robert Peters

State Senator appointed in 2019 to succeed now-state Attorney General Kwame Raoul. A former community organizer, Peters sponsored the state measure that ended cash bail in Illinois and passed laws to raise the minimum wage. He wants Medicare for All and to abolish ICE.

Willie Preston

Illinois State Senator since 2023 and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. He is pushing for more trade schools in the district.

Yumeka Brown

Served as village clerk of Matteson and currently serves as a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner. She is running on a platform of environmental justice, clean water, affordable health care, living wage jobs, and strong public schools.

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What they’re saying

“I want to prioritize getting Chicago its third airport to help boost economic development in the south suburbs.”

— Jesse Jackson Jr. (wbez.org)

“Democrats and a functioning Congress 'must be defined by what we as the majority are for, not just who we are against.'”

— Patrick 'PJK' Keating, Attorney (wbez.org)

The takeaway

The crowded Democratic primary race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat features a diverse field of candidates with a range of policy priorities, from healthcare and reproductive rights to economic development and environmental justice. The winner will be favored to replace longtime Rep. Robin Kelly in the heavily Democratic district.