Cong. Jesse Jackson Jr. (2nd Cong. Dist) announced Sept. 6 that he is in the process of forming an “exploratory committee” to run for mayor of Chicago. Cong. Jackson said in his live radio broadcast announcement he believes Chicago citizens want a mayor who can bring everyone into the loop.
He made it clear that it is he, not his father, who would be running. However, he said he is quite proud of his background and proud of his father’s accomplishments.
Jackson will be traveling around on what he calls a “listening tour.” Jackson said he is seriously considering running and noted that his congressional record has been good. He made it clear he is not announcing today, but that he is listening. He wants to see what the public has to say.
Jackson was elected to the U.S. House in 1995. Prior to that, he served as national field director for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown announced her candidacy last week. Bill “Doc” Walls, a former assistant to Mayor Harold Washington, announced his run for mayor this past spring.
