Keating Announces Campaign For U.S. Congress In Illinois’ 2nd District

HOMEWOOD, IL — Patrick J. Keating (also known as “PJK”) formally announced his candidacy for Congress in Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District Thursday at a community event with local leaders, educators, and residents, outlining what he calls a "pragmatic, mainstream Democratic agenda focused on public safety, middle-class affordability, and long-term economic development for the impoverished 2nd District."

The seat is open as incumbent Rep. Robin Kelly is running for the U.S. Senate rather than seeking re-election, leaving a crowded primary field to compete for a Democratic district where the primary winner is overwhelmingly likely to win the general election.

Also running in the Democratic primary are Toni Brown, Yumeka Brown, Eric France, Jesse L. Jackson Jr., Donna Miller, Sidney Moore, Robert Peters, Willie Preston and Adal Regis. Vying for a Republican nomination are Ashley Ramos and Michael Noack.

A Southland native, father of 3, and a 50-year resident of the District, Keating is an attorney, litigator, and adjunct law professor. He told supporters he is running to give a stronger voice to the broad majority of voters who feel left out by political extremes and partisan theater. He emphasized that Congress needs fewer performers and more problem-solvers who will do the work of legislating, overseeing federal agencies, and delivering results for working families. His goal is to grow opportunity in the district, not manage its continued decline.

Keating’s message centers on four pillars:

Making life more affordable for families facing rising costs in health care, energy, housing, and everyday bills.

Making communities safer through evidence-based public-safety strategies and funding that support both community residents and local law enforcement.

Creating well-paying jobs and rebuilding the local economy by attracting tens of billions of dollars in private clean-energy and data infrastructure investment to long-neglected industrial and commercial sites across the district.

Changing the tone in Washington DC and restoring the proper balance between Congress and the executive by treating members of Congress as colleagues, not enemies and including fairer rules for elections and more accountability in Washington. “We need less shouting into cameras and more solutions. The approval rating of Congress is at an all-time low — and we have to fix that.”

Read more about his platform and the legislative agenda he plans to pursue in Congress on Keating's website.

“I wasn’t sent here to carry water for the Chicago political Machine or the Democratic Socialists of America” Keating said, alluding to his primary rivals. “I plan to be a thought leader in the 120th Congress, to use my decades of private sector experience and business connections to build a durable 21st century economy in my district and employ my deep knowledge of the law and our courts to make sure we provide both safer streets and due process and human treatment for accused criminals.”

The Democratic primary for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District will be held on March 17, 2026.