Illinois state Sen. Trotter exits race for Jackson seat

CHICAGO – A state lawmaker facing criminal charges for carrying a gun into a Chicago airport is dropping out of the race to replace Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.

State Sen. Donne Trotter, a Democrat, said Saturday he will not seek the 2nd congressional district seat.

The lawmaker's withdrawal leaves a largely wide-open field of more than a half-dozen candidates.

They will face off in a Feb. 26 primary; the general election is scheduled for April 9.

Trotter was arrested Dec. 5 after security officers at O'Hare International Airport found an unloaded .25-caliber Beretta handgun and ammunition in his garment bag. He told officers he has the gun for a job he works with a security firm, and that he had forgotten it in his bag before he went to the airport.