Joint Action Committee
for Political Affairs

Voting Record:

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Democrat of Illinois, District 2

Statistics

Party: Democrat
Born: 3/11/1965
Education: NC A&T B.S. 1987, Chicago Theological Seminary M.A. 1989, University of Illinois J.D. 1993
Occupation: Civil Rights Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
Family: Married, Sandi Jackson; 2 Children
Religion: Baptist
Political Career: U.S. House of Representatives (1995 to Present)
Committees: Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies

Why Your Support

Jesse Jackson, Jr. is a leader in the Democratic Party and a great ally to JAC and to the Jewish community. He has represented the second district of Illinois since a special election in 1995, and has not wavered on the issues that JAC champions.

Jackson has traveled abroad to Israel, meeting with Israeli statesmen and politicians while exploring the situation on the ground. Based on his visits there, his relationships with Jewish constituents and supporters and the knowledge he has amassed on the ongoing conflict, he has been a vocal leader in protecting the security of Israel. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he is positioned to make sure Israel receives the aid she needs to be secure.  In March 2010, Jackson and Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, a Republican, drafted a letter to President Obama encouraging crippling sanctions on Iran in order to prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons.  Congressman Jackson has consistently affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense.

A strong progressive voice on social issues ranging from civil rights to women’s issues, Jackson has consistently voted to protect Roe v. Wade and has resisted calls to abridge reproductive rights. Jackson has continually voted to expand access to health education, services and contraception for low-income women, most recently in the health care reform debates and the Republican-led House’s assault on reproductive health care providers, particularly Planned Parenthood. For his leadership and dedication on the issue over his many years of service, he has maintained a 100% approval rating from NARAL. Having spoken at JAC events on numerous occasions, Rep. Jackson is eloquent in his praise for JAC.  He never fails to personally meet with JAC members during their visits to Washington.  For his friendship and commitment to JAC's values, Jackson's re-election is a priority.

Background

The second district of Illinois has a majority African-American population, among which he has generated broad-based support that repeatedly earns him re-election by wide 5-to-1 and 10-to-1 margins. Despite redistricting during his tenure, Jackson’s constituency has remained predominantly black and liberal leaning. For his dedication on issues that matter to his constituents, he has been re-elected to Congress a total of eight times, and has not faced a serious challenge since his first election.

 The 2^nd district of Illinois is located on the Southeast side of Chicago and neighboring suburbs in Cook and Will counties. Over 67 percent of the population is African-American and nearly 13 percent Hispanic. There is some economic disparity, as some of the suburbs are affluent and within miles are some of the most low-income communities in Illinois. The district is decisively Democratic, voting for President Obama in 2008 by a margin of 90 percent. The median income in the district is just under $45,000 and just over 20 percent of the constituents hold a college degree.

About The Candidate

Jesse Jackson, Jr. was raised on the south side of Chicago in a heavily political family, one of five children of civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson. Throughout his youth, leading up to his years in college and post-graduate programs, the son, like the father, was heavily involved in politics and the civil rights movement, learning the ropes as national field director for Operation PUSH and then executive director for the Rainbow Coalition before pursuing the 2nd District House seat in the 1995 special election. Jesse Jackson, Jr. describes himself as a student of history and will often tell the story about his first Passover Seder in the home of a friend and constituent. He was taken with the way Jews are commanded to tell the story each Passover of their oppression, enslavement and eventual exodus.  He believes that if African-Americans did that, they would have a greater knowledge and appreciation of their own history, their own struggle for freedom. His pursuit of knowledge of history has led to his respect for the process of government and for the institution of the Congress. In thirteen years of service, he has missed just two floor votes. Jackson's wife, Sandi Jackson, currently serves as the 7th Ward Alderman in the Chicago city council.