Career Timeline of Jesse Jackson Jr.: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jesse Jackson Jr., from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. is a former American politician who represented Illinois's 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 2012. As a Democrat and the son of Jesse Jackson, he was involved in his father's presidential campaign and Operation PUSH before entering politics. His wife, Sandi Jackson, was a Chicago City Council member. He co-chaired Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and maintained a liberal stance on social and fiscal issues, co-authoring books on civil rights and personal finance.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1984: Assisted in father's civil rights activities and presidential campaign

During the 1984 Democratic primaries, Jesse Jackson Jr., along with his brothers, assisted in their father's civil rights activities and supported his presidential campaign, appearing at events together.

1984: Worked on father's presidential campaign

In 1984, Jesse Jackson Jr. worked for his father, Jesse Jackson Sr., in the elder Jackson's presidential campaign. He assisted his father in the campaign, gaining early exposure to politics.

1988: Involvement in 1988 Democratic primaries and appointment to DNC

In 1988, Jesse Jackson Jr. was involved in his father's campaigning during the Democratic primaries. Following dealings between his father and Michael Dukakis at the Democratic National Convention, he was appointed as an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee.

February 1990: Shared Stage with Nelson Mandela

In February 1990, Jesse Jackson Jr. shared the stage with Nelson Mandela during Mandela's historic speech following his release from imprisonment in Cape Town.

1993: National Field Director of the Rainbow Coalition

In 1993, Jesse Jackson Jr. became the national field director of the Rainbow Coalition.

September 1, 1995: Mel Reynolds Resigns from Congress

On September 1, 1995, Mel Reynolds resigned from Congress, leading to Jesse Jackson Jr.'s consideration as a potential replacement.

September 10, 1995: Jackson Declared Candidacy

On September 10, 1995, Jesse Jackson Jr. officially declared his candidacy for the 2nd District Congressional seat.

November 29, 1995: Democratic Primary

The Democratic primary was set for November 29, 1995, with Jesse Jackson Jr. facing opponents such as Alice J. Palmer, Emil Jones, Monique Davis, and John Morrow.

December 12, 1995: Won General Election

On December 12, 1995, Jesse Jackson Jr. won the general election with 76% of the vote, securing his position as a U.S. Representative.

December 15, 1995: Took Office

On December 15, 1995, Jesse Jackson Jr. took office as a U.S. Representative, vowing to be a liberal voice in opposition to Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

1995: Became U.S. Representative

In 1995, Jesse Jackson Jr. began his tenure as the U.S. Representative from Illinois's 2nd congressional district, marking the start of his career in elected office.

1995: Continued as National Field Director of the Rainbow Coalition

In 1995, Jesse Jackson Jr. continued his role as the national field director of the Rainbow Coalition, working to stimulate equitable hiring practices.

1995: Congratulatory Call from Al Gore

In 1995, after his election, Jesse Jackson Jr. received a congratulatory call from Vice President Al Gore, who was attempting to maintain good relations with the Jackson family.

August 1996: Unopposed Rematch

In August 1996, Thomas Somer withdrew from a rematch, leaving Jesse Jackson Jr. without major party opposition in the November 1996 general election.

November 1996: Re-elected

In November 1996, Jesse Jackson Jr. was re-elected, receiving 94% of the vote due to the absence of major party opposition.

1996: Sought Committee Seat and Increased Visibility

After being elected, in 1996 Jesse Jackson Jr. attempted to gain a seat on the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He began receiving numerous requests to visit congressional districts, rivaling his father's popularity.

1996: Disagreement with Father's Plan

In 1996, Jesse Jackson Jr. disagreed with his father's plan for him to run for the Illinois Senate, opting instead to pursue the 2nd District Congressional seat.

1996: Message of unity and cooperation with Jewish leaders

In 1996, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s message of unity and cooperation with Jewish leaders was met with skepticism during his early years in office.

1997: Served in Illinois State Senate 13th district

From 1997 to 2005, Barack Obama served in the Illinois State Senate 13th district, which was within Jesse Jackson Jr.'s district.

1997: Criticism for response to Louis Farrakhan's remarks

In 1997, Jesse Jackson Jr. was criticized for his response to anti-Semitic remarks made by Louis Farrakhan in New York City. Jewish leaders were unsatisfied with Jackson's disagreement with Farrakhan's comments. Also in 1997, Newsweek mentioned Jackson in "the Century Club" list, speculating about a potential black presidency.

1998: Gore Campaigned and Advised Jackson

In 1998, Al Gore campaigned for and advised Jesse Jackson Jr., instructing aides to create an event in Jackson's district to boost his profile.

1998: Co-sponsored legislation for embassy bombing victims

In 1998, Jesse Jackson Jr. co-sponsored legislation providing nearly $1 million to each family that lost someone to the al-Qaida activities in the 1998 United States embassy bombings.

1998: Campaign Appearances for Democratic Candidates

In 1998, Jesse Jackson Jr. made 30 appearances for Democratic congressional candidates, often being sent on the "black circuit" without press notification.

1998: Withheld support for local Democrats who would not support the third Chicago airport

Jesse Jackson Jr. withheld support for local Democrats who would not support the third Chicago airport, such as 1998 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Glenn Poshard.

December 1999: Co-authored "It's About the Money"

In December 1999, Jesse Jackson Jr. co-authored "It's About the Money: How You Can Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, and Achieve Your Financial Dreams", a self-help book aimed at people of limited means, offering guidance on achieving personal financial independence.

2000: Presidential Aspirations

As he prepared to run for president in 2000, Vice President Al Gore attempted to maintain good relations with the Jackson family, hoping to discourage Jesse Jackson Sr. from running against him.

2000: Objected to counting Florida's electoral votes

In 2000, Jesse Jackson Jr. and other members of the House of Representatives objected to counting the 25 electoral votes from Florida, which George W. Bush narrowly won. The objection was dismissed by Vice President Al Gore.

2000: Re-election in 2000

In 2000, Jesse Jackson Jr. won re-election by a 90-10 margin over Robert Gordon, in a district that remained overwhelmingly black after redistricting.

2000: Sought to prevent blacks from supporting George W. Bush

In late 2000, as George W. Bush planned to appoint multiple black individuals to his cabinet, Jesse Jackson Jr. sought to prevent blacks from supporting Bush.

January 6, 2001: Objected to counting Florida's electoral votes

On January 6, 2001, Jesse Jackson Jr. and other members of the House of Representatives objected to counting the 25 electoral votes from Florida, which George W. Bush narrowly won. The objection was dismissed by Vice President Al Gore.

2001: Co-authored "Legal Lynching: The Death Penalty and America's Future"

In 2001, Jesse Jackson Jr. co-authored "Legal Lynching: The Death Penalty and America's Future" (also known as Legal Lynching II) with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Bruce Shapiro, contributing to the public discourse against the death penalty.

2001: FEC Ruling on Hiring Wife

In 2001, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) ruled that Jesse Jackson Jr. could hire his wife on his campaign payroll, provided she was paid no more than fair market value for her services.

2002: Challenged in Democratic Primary

In 2002, Jesse Jackson Jr. faced challenges in the Democratic primary, including allegations of a bogus candidate planted to confuse voters. Jesse L. Jackson withdrew his candidacy after the unexpected deaths of his wife and grandson.

2003: Appointed to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

In 2003, Jesse Jackson Jr. was appointed to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

2004: Supported election reform

After the 2004 elections, Jesse Jackson Jr. became vocal in supporting election reform, expressing concern over differing election rules across jurisdictions. He was one of the House Democrats who voted to not count the electoral votes from Ohio.

2004: Declined Senate run, supported Obama and Dean

In 2004, Jesse Jackson Jr. declined to run for the U.S. Senate and instead became one of Barack Obama's early supporters. He endorsed Howard Dean for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.

2004: Supported Ho-Chunk tribe's casino proposal

In 2004, Jesse Jackson Jr. supported the Ho-Chunk tribe's proposal for a casino within his district in Lynwood, Illinois.

2004: Re-election in 2004

In 2004, Jesse Jackson Jr. won re-election in the House of Representatives elections by a wide margin over Stephanie Kennedy Sailor.

December 1, 2005: Bill signed for Rosa Parks statue

On December 1, 2005, President Bush signed the bill sponsored by Jesse Jackson Jr. for the creation of a life-size statue of Rosa Parks to be placed in Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol.

2005: Served in Illinois State Senate 13th district

From 1997 to 2005, Barack Obama served in the Illinois State Senate 13th district, which was within Jesse Jackson Jr.'s district.

2005: Supported Terri Schiavo Legislation

In 2005, Jesse Jackson Jr. supported legislation that gave the United States Federal Court of Appeals jurisdiction over the Terri Schiavo case.

November 8, 2006: Announced decision not to run for mayor

On November 8, 2006, Jesse Jackson Jr. announced that he would not seek the Chicago mayoralty.

2006: Won Re-election in 2006

In the 2006 election, Jesse Jackson Jr. won re-election with 85% of the vote, defeating opponents like Libertarian Party candidate Anthony Williams.

February 27, 2007: Wife Sandi Jackson won election for Alderman

On February 27, 2007, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife, Sandi Jackson, won the election for Alderman in Chicago's 7th ward.

August 1, 2007: Verbal Disagreement on House Floor

On August 1, 2007, Jesse Jackson Jr. had a verbal disagreement with Representative Lee Terry on the House floor, resulting in a challenge to step outside, which was diffused by Steve Rothman.

2007: Co-sponsored legislation for embassy bombing victims

In 2007, Jesse Jackson Jr. co-sponsored legislation providing nearly $1 million to each family that lost someone to the al-Qaida activities in the 1998 United States embassy bombings. He also voiced an interest in initiating impeachment proceedings against President Bush.

2007: Considered entering Chicago mayoral election

In 2007, Jesse Jackson Jr. considered entering the Chicago mayoral election.

June 2008: Commentaries published in Lincoln in Illinois

In June 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s commentaries were published in "Lincoln in Illinois", a book by the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.

August 25, 2008: Prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention

On August 25, 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. gave a prime-time speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, referencing Martin Luther King Jr. and praising Barack Obama's leadership. He also initiated a "hugfest" to unite the Illinois Democratic party.

September 29, 2008: Voted against the federal bailout bill

On September 29, 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. voted against the late-September version of the federal bailout bill, citing inadequate homeowner protections.

October 3, 2008: Voted in support of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act

On October 3, 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. voted in support of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

November 4, 2008: Obama Elected President, Resigns Senate Seat

On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States and subsequently resigned his seat in the U.S. Senate, prompting discussions and considerations for his replacement, including Jesse Jackson Jr. as a possible candidate.

November 13, 2008: Obama Resignation Announcement

On November 13, 2008, the date Obama officially announced his resignation, Danny Davis and Tammy Duckworth noted they hadn't been contacted by the governor's office regarding the Senate seat succession.

November 27, 2008: Blagojevich Hints at Choice

On November 27, 2008, Governor Blagojevich hinted that Danny Davis might be his choice to fill Barack Obama's vacant senate seat.

2008: National co-chairman of Obama's presidential campaign

In 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. served as a national co-chairman of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, participating in garnering support and providing voiceovers for advertisements.

2008: National Co-Chairman of Obama Campaign

In 2008, Jesse Jackson Jr. served as a national co-chairman of the Barack Obama presidential campaign, solidifying his position within the Democratic Party.

2008: Defense of Obama in response to father's criticism

In 2008, after Jesse Jackson Sr. criticized Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson Jr. responded with a defense of Obama in the Chicago Sun-Times.

September 2010: Senate Appointment Allegations

In September 2010, allegations surfaced that fundraiser Nayak acted as a go-between for Jackson and Blagojevich, claiming Jackson would help Blagojevich raise $6 million in exchange for the Senate appointment, leading to a Congressional ethics investigation.

2010: Illinois Senate Re-election

In 2010, the class 3 Illinois Senate seat was up for re-election, with Jesse Jackson Jr. and other contenders vying for the position.

March 2011: Proposed constitutional amendment for "equal education rights" with iPad

In March 2011, Jesse Jackson Jr. proposed a constitutional amendment for "equal education rights" on the House floor, suggesting that every student in America receive an iPad from the federal government, attracting ridicule.

Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver

Check it on Amazon

April 2011: Blamed iPad for eliminating American jobs

In April 2011, Jesse Jackson Jr. spoke on the House floor, blaming the iPad for "eliminating thousands of American jobs."

Apple iPad (10th Generation): with A14 Bionic chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver

Check it on Amazon