Updated: January 7, 2013 1:55PM

Lenny McAllister, a TV and radio commentator and rare conservative African American, has filed for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s old seat.

McAllister is one of 13 candidates who have filed so far for the 2nd Congressional District Feb. 26 Special Election.

There's still hours to go before today's deadline for candidates to file but so far of the 13 candidates to file -- there are two Republicans in the race.

You know a district held by a Democrat for more than 20 years has changed dramatically when there's actually more than one Republican running.

Besides McAllister, who lives in Maywood, Beverly E. Reid of Chicago filed as Republicans.

That means there will be contested primaries for Democrats and Republicans.

Also today, candidates were attempting to position themselves as frontrunners by lauding their fund-raising prowess: Read: Candidates announce fund-raising cred

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