Beale stays on attack, setting sights now on Quigley's endorsement of Kelly

Endorsements rolling in for former state Rep. Robin Kelly are riling her competitors in the race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr.

Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) put his support behind Kelly. Kelly, a New York native, worked as chief of staff to former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and most recently was an administrator under Toni Preckwinkle. Preckwinkle initially endorsed Toi Hutchinson, but when Hutchinson dropped out on Sunday, Preckwinkle endorsed Kelly.

Taking issue with Quigley’s endorsement today is Ald. Anthony Beale, who earlier today lashed out at President Obama, questioning his commitment to reducing gun violence.

“Like most of the marquee names of people who are supporting Robin Kelly, Congressman Mike Quigley lives outside of the 2nd Congressional District. As Congressman Quigley has recounted on a number of occasions, when he ran in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Rahm Emanuel, he didn’t have any endorsements and was outspent 5-1.

The 2nd District belongs to voters in the 2nd CD and they alone will make the final decision as to who will represent them in Congress.

I’m confident about my campaign and my ability to win this election despite efforts to anoint one candidate as the inevitable winner. I believe our message of jobs as the only antidote to crime, poor education, foreclosure and community instability is what voters will respond to in the 2nd CD.”