IL-02: Jesse Jackson Jr. to launch bid for his old seat
CHICAGO — Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising Democratic star who saw his congressional career unravel in scandal, is returning to the political stage. He will announce his bid this week for the same Illinois congressional seat he vacated over a decade ago.
“Jesse has been meeting with residents whose concerns about the economy convinced him to run,” according to a person close to his campaign granted anonymity to speak freely. “He feels the district needs results fast and he is uniquely qualified to deliver.”
Jackson will spend the coming weeks unveiling his economic plan and policy platforms to address the cost of living, joblessness and health care access, according to the person.
It’s a dramatic twist for a man whose life once seemed destined for the national spotlight. The son of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, he was first elected to Congress in 1995 and held his position for 17 years before it all came crashing down.
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