Candidates make final push for Jackson Jr.'s seat

CHICAGO (AP) — The candidates vying to replace former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. are making their final push before Tuesday's election.

Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson is focusing on Kankakee and Will counties. A spokesman says she feels good about turnout there during early voting.

Alderman Anthony Beale is concentrating on getting out the vote on Chicago's South Side. His spokeswoman says Beale's ward is seeing some of the highest turnout so far.

Halvorson, Beale and former state Rep. Robin Kelly are considered the front runners in the Democratic primary. The winner is likely to win the April general election in the heavily Democratic 2nd Congressional District.

Jackson resigned in November. He has pleaded guilty to spending campaign funds on personal items.

Fourteen Democrats and four Republicans are running for the seat.