CHICAGO – The jockeying to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. began before the ink was dry on the former congressman’s resignation letter.

Among those expressing an interest: Chicago aldermen, a former NFL linebacker and a defense attorney who represented R&B singer R. Kelly and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

But as the field of would-be successors grows to a dozen or more names – one of whom may be another member of the Jackson family – party leaders and political analysts say a stampede of candidates could pose risks for the Democratic stronghold.