Robin Kelly

Last updated

Nathaniel Horn
​
​
(m. 2003;died 2023)​
Robin Kelly
Rep. Robin Kelly, 117th Congress.jpg
Official portrait, 2021
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Illinois's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 11, 2013
Children2
Education Bradley University (BA, MA)
Northern Illinois University (PhD)
Signature Signature of Robin Kelly.svg
Website House website

Robin Lynne Kelly (born April 30, 1956) is an American politician from Illinois who has served as the U.S. representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district since 2013. A Democrat, Kelly served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. She then served as chief of staff for Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias until 2010. She was the 2010 Democratic nominee for state treasurer, but lost the general election. Before running for Congress, Kelly served as the Cook County chief administrative officer. After winning the Democratic primary, [1] she won the 2013 special election to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr. in the U.S. House of Representatives. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

The daughter of a grocer, Robin Lynne Kelly was born in Harlem [3] on April 30, 1956. [4] Hoping to become a child psychologist, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, [3] where she was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. At Bradley, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in psychology (1977/1978) and her Master of Arts in counseling (1982). [4] While in Peoria, she directed a "crisis nursery" and worked in a hospital. [3]

Kelly earned her Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University in 2004. [4]

Early career

From 1992 through 2006, Kelly served as a director of community affairs in Matteson. [4]

Illinois House of Representatives

Elections

In 2002, Kelly defeated a ten-year incumbent Illinois state representative in the Democratic primary. In November, she defeated Republican Kitty Watson, 81%–19%. [5]

In 2004, she won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican Jack McInerney, 86%–14%. [6] In 2006, she won reelection to a third term unopposed. [7]

Committee assignments

  • Appropriations-Human Services
  • Housing & Urban Development
  • International Trade & Commerce
  • Local Government
  • Mass Transit (Vice Chair)
  • Para-transit
  • Whole [8]

State and county government

In January 2007, Kelly resigned her House seat to become chief of staff to Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. She was the first African-American woman to serve as chief of staff to an elected constitutional statewide officeholder. [9] Kelly was appointed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's chief administrative officer in 2011.

2010 Illinois treasurer election

In 2010, Kelly ran for Illinois treasurer. In the Democratic primary, she defeated founding member and senior executive of the Transportation Security Administration Justin Oberman, 58%–42%. She won most of the counties in the state, including Cook County with 59% of the vote. [10] [11]

In the November general election, Republican State Senator Dan Rutherford defeated her 50%–45%. She won just six of the state's 102 counties: Cook (62%), Alexander (52%), Gallatin (51%), St. Clair (50%), Calhoun (49%), and Rock Island (48%). [12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Kelly's first congressional portrait (113th Congress) Robin Kelly, 113th Congress.png
Kelly's first congressional portrait (113th Congress)

2013 congressional election

Kelly entered the field for Illinois's 2nd congressional district after Democrat Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned three weeks after being elected to a tenth term. On February 11, 2013, two Chicago-based Democratic congressmen, Bobby Rush and Danny Davis, endorsed her. [13]

On February 13, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky endorsed Kelly. [14] A few days later, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed her and committed $2 million in TV ads supporting her by highlighting Kelly's position on gun control. She was also endorsed by the Chicago Tribune . [15] On February 17, State Senator Toi Hutchinson decided to drop out to endorse Kelly.

On February 26, Kelly won the Democratic primary in the heavily Democratic, black-majority district with 52% of the vote. [16] [17] In the April 9 general election, she defeated Republican community activist Paul McKinley and a variety of independent candidates with around 71% of the vote. [2]

Tenure

Kelly took office on April 9, 2013, [4] and was sworn in on April 11. [18]

Committee assignments

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ed Royce, members Steve Chabot and Robin Kelly in 2017 celebrate legislation to help educate more girls Robin Kelly and Steve Chabot celebrate their legislation.jpg
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ed Royce, members Steve Chabot and Robin Kelly in 2017 celebrate legislation to help educate more girls

For the 118th Congress: [19]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Kelly voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. [22]

Syria

In 2023, Kelly was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days. [23] [24]

Personal life

Kelly lived in Matteson in a home she shared with her husband Nathaniel Horn until his death in August 2023. She currently resides in Lynwood. [3] Kelly is a Nondenominational Protestant. [25]

Electoral history

Democratic primary for the 2002 Illinois 38th House district election [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly 10,870 56.04
Democratic Harold Murphy (incumbent)8,52643.96
Total votes19,396 100.0
2002 Illinois 38th House district election [27]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly 26,739 80.95
Republican Catherine (Kitty) Watson6,29219.05
Total votes33,031 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2004 Illinois 38th House district election [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 16,028 81.74
Democratic Jonathan J. Jordan3,58018.26
Total votes19,608 100.0
2004 Illinois 38th House district election [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 41,837 86.15
Republican Jack McInerney6,72713.85
Total votes48,564 100.0
2006 Illinois 38th House district election [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 30,862 100.0
Total votes30,862 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2010 Illinois State Treasurer election [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly 472,494 57.92
Democratic Justin P. Oberman343,30742.08
Total votes815,801 100.0
2010 Illinois State Treasurer election [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dan Rutherford 1,811,293 49.68
Democratic Robin Kelly1,650,24445.26
Green Scott K. Summers115,7723.18
Libertarian James Pauly68,8031.89
Total votes3,646,112 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2013 Illinois 2nd congressional district special election [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly 31,079 53.27
Democratic Debbie Halvorson 14,65025.11
Democratic Anthony Beale 6,45711.07
Democratic Joyce W. Washington2,5634.39
Democratic Ernest B. Fenton1,5452.65
Democratic Anthony W. Williams6411.10
Democratic Mel "Mr" Reynolds4590.79
Democratic Clifford J. Eagleton2070.35
Democratic Fatimah N. Muhammad1940.33
Democratic Gregory Haynes1440.25
Democratic Larry D. Pickens1270.22
Democratic John Blyth1040.18
Democratic Victor Jonathan910.16
Democratic Charles Rayburn740.13
Democratic Denise Anita Hill40.01
Total votes58,339 100.0
2013 Illinois 2nd congressional district special election [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly 58,834 70.72
Republican Paul McKinley18,38722.10
Independent Elizabeth "Liz" Pahlke2,5253.04
Green LeAlan M. Jones1,5311.84
Independent Marcus Lewis1,3591.63
Independent Curtiss Llong Bey5480.66
Write-in votesSteve Piekarczyk90.01
Total votes83,193 100.0
2014 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 160,337 78.49
Republican Eric M. Wallace43,79921.44
Write-in votesMarcus Lewis1300.06
Total votes204,266 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2016 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 115,752 73.92
Democratic Marcus Lewis25,28016.14
Democratic Charles Rayburn9,5596.10
Democratic Dorian C. L. Myrickes6,0023.83
Total votes156,593 100.0
2016 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 235,051 79.81
Republican John F. Morrow59,47120.19
Total votes294,522 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2018 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 80,659 82.05
Democratic Marcus Lewis17,64017.95
Total votes98,299 100.0
2018 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 190,684 81.06
Republican David Merkle44,56718.94
Total votes235,251 100.0
2020 Illinois 2nd congressional district election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 234,896 78.81
Republican Theresa Raborn63,14221.19
Total votes298,038 100.0
2022 Illinois 2nd congressional district election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 140,414 67.13
Republican Thomas Lynch68,76132.87
Total votes209,175 100.0
2024 Illinois 2nd congressional district election [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 195,777 67.55
Republican Ashley Ramos94,00432.43
Write-in 620.02
Total votes289,843 100.0

See also

References

  1. ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (February 26, 2013). "Kelly wins amid Bloomberg ad blitz". Politico. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Illinois Special Election Results". Politico .
  3. 1 2 3 4 Skiba, Katherine (April 14, 2013). "Robin Kelly hopes to change legacy of 2nd District seat". Chicago Tribune .
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kelly, Robin L." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress .
  5. ↑ "IL State House 038 Race". Our Campaigns. November 5, 2002. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  6. ↑ "IL State House 038 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2004. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  7. ↑ "IL State House 038 Race". Our Campaigns. November 7, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Illinois General Assembly – Senator Biography". Ilga.gov. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Illinois Races: Robin Kelly Running for State Treasurer". nbcchicago.com. November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  10. ↑ "IL Treasurer – D Primary Race". Our Campaigns. February 2, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2012 General Election Results: U.S. President". Elections.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  12. ↑ "IL Treasurer Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  13. ↑ Paicely, Christopher (February 11, 2013). "Congressmen Davis and Rush Endorse Robin Kelly: 2nd District Race – Government – Chicago Heights, IL Patch". Chicagoheights.patch.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  14. ↑ McClelland, Edward (February 13, 2013). "Jan Schakowsky Endorses Robin Kelly". NBC Chicago. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Bloomberg PAC endorses Robin Kelly in new Illinois special election ad". Washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Robin Kelly wins rival Toi Hutchinson's support in Illinois race". Politico.com. February 19, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Illinois Special Election Results 2013 – District Results, Live Updates". Politico.com. April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  18. ↑ Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ↑ "Robin L. Kelly". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  21. ↑ @GideonResnick (July 19, 2018). "Up to 70 members now" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  23. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  24. ↑ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Election Results 2002 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "Election Results 2002 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  28. ↑ "Election Results 2004 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Election Results 2004 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  30. ↑ "Election Results 2006 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  31. ↑ "Election Results 2010 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Election Results 2010 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Election Results 2013 SPECIAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Election Results 2013 SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections . Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Election Results 2024 GENERAL ELECTION". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Treasurer of Illinois
2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party
2021–2022		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 2nd congressional district
2013–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
123rd		Succeeded by
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