Jesse Jackson Jr. 2.0: Back to Congress, Now With More Spilled Cash
In the grand political saga that is Chicago, former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., last seen resigning in 2013 and starring in a miniseries of 'Campaign Fund Heist: The Unofficial Edition,' has officially dusted off his comeback boots. On a Tuesdayâbecause who resumes plotlines on any other day?âJackson shared a video with Axios, quote-mining his dad from a 1984 Dem Convention speech to plead forgiveness for unspecified 'errors' including 'judgment.' The seat he covets, covering the diverse lands from South Chicago hood to rural suburban counties, is vacating thanks to Rep. Robin Kellyâs Senate ambitions. Jackson now joins a 'crowded field' of Democrats including Senators Robert Peters, Willie Preston, and a Water Reclamation District commissioner named Yumeka Brown, because apparently politics also needs to clean pipes. Promising he's an 'independent Democrat' willing to break the party line (because Dickens called, and this is definitely a comeback Dickensian tale), Jackson brands himself a bona fide fighter who knows how to win. Polls from Augustâcourtesy of Jacksonâs exploratory committee, which doubles as an enthusiastic PR firmâshow he might just slide back in. Bonus irony: he boasts a 'new direction' while reviving the same seat abandoned for a congressional crime drama years ago. Weâre all terrible drivers of our own lives, but Jackson's steering this ride back into the political fast lane with all the swagger and snacks.
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Only in politics do you get a sequel starring the same lead who quit mid-season for campaign fund shenanigans. Jesse Jr. marches back, quoting dad's 1984 speech like a Grateful Dead tribute band hoping for nostalgia to fuel votes.
Jesse Jackson Jr. returning to Congress feels like your old Myspace account trying to friend you againâawkward, without self-awareness, but hey, at least it's consistent.
Who knew campaign finance scandals aged like fine milk? Jesse Jr.âs comeback bid serves fresh hints of rerun drama seasoned with nostalgia quotes from 1984.
Source: Axios | Published: 10/8/2025 | Author: Andrew Solender
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