Robin Kelly

Robin Lynne Kelly (born April 30, 1956) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, 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, she won the 2013 special election to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr. in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On May 6, 2025, Kelly announced she would be retiring to run for the United States Senate in 2026, being vacated by the retiring incumbent Dick Durbin. She placed third in the primary, losing to Juliana Stratton. Early life and education The daughter of a grocer, Robin Lynne Kelly was born in Harlem on April 30, 1956. Hoping to become a child psychologist, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois,

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

Committee assignments Appropriations-Human Services Housing & Urban Development International Trade & Commerce Local Government Mass Transit (Vice Chair) Para-transit Whole

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. 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.

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%).

U.S. House of Representatives (2013-present)

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.

On February 13, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky endorsed Kelly. 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. 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. 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.

Committee assignments For the 119th Congress: Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Subcommittee on Health

Caucus memberships Congressional Black Caucus Congressional Equality Caucus Medicare for All Caucus

2026 U.S. Senate candidacy

On May 6, 2025, Kelly announced she would be retiring to run for the United States Senate in 2026, being vacated by the retiring incumbent Dick Durbin. though he denied the claims. It was noted that Kelly was one of several Black women running for US Senate in 2026: including Juliana Stratton of Illinois, Pamela Stevenson of Kentucky and Catherine Fleming Bruce of South Carolina.

Kelly ended up placing third in the Democratic primary to Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and her colleague United States Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, garnering only 18.3% of the vote.

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

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.

Personal life Kelly lived in the Chicago suburb of Matteson, in a home she shared with her husband, Nathaniel Horn, until his death in August 2023. She currently resides in Lynwood.

Electoral history