CHICAGO | The margin between the top Republican candidates in the race to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is still razor thin.
Chicago resident Paul McKinley was leading by 23 votes over Eric Wallace with election officials reviewing provisional ballots.
McKinley is a political newcomer and a former felon who describes himself as a grassroots activist on behalf of ex-offenders.
Wallace founded a Christian publishing company and ran an unsuccessful campaign for Illinois Senate in 2006.
The winner faces former state Rep. Robin Kelly in the April 9 special election. She easily captured the Democratic nomination in Tuesday's primary and has an advantage in the general election because the district is heavily Democratic. The territory includes Chicago neighborhoods, suburbs and some rural areas.
Jackson resigned in November.
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