Illinois congressional race shows Bloomberg clout

CHICAGO (AP) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super PAC says the group's entrance into the race to replace former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was a signal of things to come.

Independence USA poured $2.2 million into anti-gun ads backing former Illinois legislator Robin Kelly and attacking former Rep. Debbie Halvorson and other Democrats who competed Tuesday in a special primary.

The PAC targeted Halvorson because she opposed an assault-weapons ban that Kelly supports. Kelly won.

Now Bloomberg's group is making plans to use the same tactics around the country. Some political experts are skeptical that it will work.

They say the Chicago-area election had too many unusual circumstances in an area that's already Democratic and largely anti-gun.