Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.)

Jackson started his career as a political leader in 1989 when he became the president of the Keep Hope Alive PAC, a job he held until 1990. He has also served as vice president of Operation PUSH (1991 to 1995), which was originally founded by his dad in 1971, and as national field director for the National Rainbow Coalition (1993 to 1995). Founded by the Rev. Jackson, Operation PUSH/Rainbow merged in 1996. It advocates more minorities on the payrolls and in the corporate boardrooms of major U.S. companies.

Jackson's career as an elected official began in 1995 when Chicago Rep. Mel Reynolds (D) resigned from the 2nd House district after his conviction for sexual assault stemming from a relationship with a teenager. Jackson faced tough competition in the special primary from experienced legislator Emil Jones, who was backed by Chicago's powerful mayoral machine represented by the Daley family. But Jackson argued that his youth and life spent around political leaders gave him political clout, an argument that resonated with voters. He went on to an easy victory in the general election.

During his 13 years in the House, Jackson has used the seat he gained on the House Appropriations Committee to bring $600 million in federal appropriations to his district. That money has gone to infrastructure, institutions of higher education, affordable housing and health care programs, among other groups and institutions.

In 2006, speculation ran high that Jackson would challenge Mayor Richard Daley (D) for Chicago's top job. The two have long been political rivals, clashing on issues such as a living wage ordinance and the need for an airport in the Chicago suburbs that Jackson represents.

But just a month after saying that it was "more likely than not" that he would run against Daley, Jackson changed course. With the Democratic Party regaining the Congressional majority in the 2006 midterms, Jackson saw a better chance to help his constituents in the House than as mayor. "More than any time since I took my initial oath-of-office, I am excited, eager and downright giddy about the prospects in Washington," he said. "The prospect of being in the majority, on a key committee, with reasonable seniority, is very exciting to me."

Jackson has served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee since 1998.

Jackson Jr. is married to Sandi Jackson and they have two children, Jesse Jackson III and Jessica.

Ethics Inquiry

In April 2009, Jackson announced that he was the subject of an Office of Congressional Ethics Inquiry into his role in attempting to replace Barack Obama in his old Illinois senate seat. Jackson was referred to in the media as "Candidate A" in the April 2, 2009, indictment of Blagojevich, which alleged that a Jackson emissary discussed raising money for the governor in exchange for promoting the candidate's desire for the senate seat. Blagojevich has since been ousted by the Illinois state legislature and indicted.

Jackson said he welcomed the probe and denied engaging in pay-to-play politics. "I have done nothing wrong,"he told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"I am cooperating fully with the preliminary review being conducted by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE)," added.

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