A Tale of 2 Jesse Jacksons Vying for Same House Seat
U.S. Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) faces a mysterious challenger with a familiar name in the March primary election--Jesse L. Jackson.
But the four-term Illinois Democrat and son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson says the shadowy challenger with the same name is nothing but a pawn in a political trick designed to siphon votes from him by confusing people into choosing the wrong man.
The challenger is a political newcomer with no voter registration, and there are questions about whether his middle initial really is “L.”
In reviewing public records, elections lawyer Richard Means said the unknown Jesse Jackson is probably Jesse V. Jackson.
The challenger has been unavailable for comment since a brief news conference in which he said little more than that his name is Jesse Jackson and he expects to win in the 2nd Congressional District.
Nine people who circulated petitions for the challenger will be called to court Jan. 9 to explain their actions.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
