CHICAGO (AP) — State Sen. Toi Hutchinson dropped out of the race Sunday for the U.S. House seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr., saying that her continued candidacy risked sowing divisions among her fellow Democrats.

Hutchinson's exit follows several weeks of attacks from opponents, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, over her past opposition to tougher gun restrictions, one of the campaign's most pressing issues leading up to the Feb. 26 Democratic primary.

While campaigning in a district that includes parts of Chicago's South Side that have been deeply affected by gun violence, Hutchinson moderated her views, saying the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn., was what brought about her change of heart.