Jesse Jackson Jr. out to early lead against Debbie Halvorson

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has jumped out to an early lead tonight in his Democratic primary contest against longtime foe Debbie Halvorson, a former congresswoman.

Jackson had 72% to Halvorson’s 28% with more than 9% counted in unofficial returns in the 2nd Congressional District.

Halvorson, who served one term in Congress, hopes to end Jackson’s 17-year tenure as he battles ethics allegations. Jackson faces a congressional ethics investigation stemming from accusations that his campaign supporters offered to raise money for then-Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich in exchange for appointing Jackson to President Obama’s former seat in the U.S. Senate. Jackson denies any wrongdoing.

Halvorson said Jackson had been “distracted” by the ethics investigation.

For Jackson, the primary fight with Halvorson has been his toughest in more than a decade. He leaned heavily on an endorsement from Obama in a district with new boundaries as a result of redistricting.

The district now stretches farther south into parts of Will and Kankakee counties, familiar territory for Halvorson. A former state senator, she lost her seat in Congress amid the 2010 Republican wave.

kskiba@tribune.com