(Photo: Courtesy Robin Kelly For Congress)

Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush don't get a vote in who will replace their former colleague Jesse Jackson Jr., but that hasn't stopped them from having a say. The Chicago lawmakers on Sunday threw their support behind former Cook County administrator Robin Kelly. She is one of 16 candidates competing in the Feb. 26 primary election.

Davis and Rush chose Cook because of her fierce support of gun control measures. Chicago experienced 500 homicides in 2012 and is looking like it will continue the trend in 2013. Not surprisingly, gun control has become a key issue in the race.

"Our communities are facing an epidemic of gun violence and we need more members of Congress who can be trusted to fight for common sense gun control measures," said Davis in his endorsement. "Robin Kelly is a woman of integrity and conviction, and President Obama, Congressman Davis and I need her as our partner in ending gun violence."

The National Rifle Association has given two of the top contenders, former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, the only white candidate in the race, and Illinois state Sen. Toi Hutchinson strong scores. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has used his super PAC to run ads against Halvorson.

"Robin Kelly has the kind of pragmatism that you need to get results in Washington, while never compromising her beliefs like many do. If we are going to stop the NRA in their tracks, and make our communities safe again, Robin Kelly is the right woman for the job," Davis said.

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