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Friends of Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress 2026 Exploratory Committee, Launches Outreach Across 2^nd Congressional District

Exploratory Committee commences effort to collect signatures and register voters as new poll shows former Congressman Jackson leading field of potential contenders

Retired U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, Senior Advisor of the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network Jack Lynch, and a contingent of public officials, community leaders, and volunteers today launched the Friends of Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress 2026 Exploratory Committee to draft former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. into the race for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District seat.

The launch comes days after a poll commissioned by the Exploratory Committee shows Jackson with a significant lead over the field of potential contenders for the March 2026 Democratic primary.

The poll, conducted by Lester & Associates, is based on interviews conducted by telephone July 21^st – 24^th with 500 registered and likely Democratic primary voters in the 2^nd Congressional District.

The Exploratory Committee, which filed a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission last month, hosted a launch event and press conference at St. Patrick’s Rooftop and Steakhouse in Dolton to commence outreach across the District and begin raising the resources for a congressional campaign.

Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025 — Jesse Jackson Jr

“Jesse Jackson Jr. is a strong and proven voice, an accomplished legislator, and a passionate advocate for the marginalized and forgotten Americans of the Second Congressional District,” said Rush, who called Jackson “the most qualified and ready-made of all the candidates.”

“Jesse never missed a vote during his 17 years in Congress. He will fight to ensure no one is left behind,” added Rush.

Jackson previously represented the people of the District from 1995 until 2012. As Congressman, Jackson brought more than $968 million dollars in grants to the District and was known as a results-driven member of Congress.

His accomplishments included establishment of a national park in Pullman, providing freshwater to Ford Heights, purchase of 4,000 acres to build an inaugural airport, building a dozen new metro stations from Hyde Park to 93rd Street, changing municipal zip codes, and providing signage to identify towns and villages along the Bishop Ford Freeway and I-57.

Over the last two months, Jackson has visited towns, villages and rural areas across the District and heard from residents and elected officials who have urged him to enter the race.

“As I meet with residents and consider my potential candidacy, I have charged the Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress 2026 Exploratory effort to begin the collection of 10,000 signatures for nominating petitions, commencing this Tuesday, August 5^th, and to register 5,000 new voters in the Second Congressional District,” said Jackson.

Those interested in volunteering to join the exploratory effort are invited to contact Kenya Franklin at [email protected], (773) 301-5740.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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