Rep. Kelly takes campaign for Durbin’s seat to City Club of Chicago

CHICAGO (WGN) — Hours after announcing the endorsement of more than a dozen of her congressional colleagues, Rep. Robin Kelly on Monday took her stump speech to the City Club of Chicago for lunch with political movers and shakers.

Kelly, 69, last week launched a campaign to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, who announced in April his intention to not seek a sixth term in office.

“I know I would bring effective leadership,” Kelly told those gathered. “I have a proven history of being successful, effective and solution oriented on every single job that I’ve had.”

Asked about why she feels now is the right time to make the leap to Senate, the congresswoman said the decision came from the heart.

“I think I would always question myself if I didn’t try,” she said.

Her stop in Chicago comes on a day when a federal political action committee, Illinois Blue PAC, came out in support of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in her bid for Durbin’s seat. The group will likely spend millions to boost Stratton who’s already backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

Also in the race is Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, flush with $20 million in the bank and a Friday endorsement from the 34,000-worker strong United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881.

The members of Chicago City Council are keeping close tabs on the contest and weighing an endorsement.

“We need to bring back resources for our safety nets, our neighborhoods, schools. We need more affordable housing in the City of Chicago,” said Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th Ward). ‘As it relates to the electeds in Chicago, what we’ll probably see is folks will make a decision very quickly.”

As reported by Politico, Kelly on Monday announced the endorsement of 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep Jonathan Jackson.

Political watchers are also awaiting a decision on whether Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville will enter the race. There’s still plenty of time for her to make up her mind, as petition gathering season is months away.