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Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife rules out run for his former seat
The wife of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), who resigned from Congress amid a federal ethics investigation and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, said Tuesday she would not seek her husband's former congressional seat.
Sandi Jackson, an alderman in Chicago, told the Chicago Tribune that she plans to remain on the city council and does not intend to seek federal office.
"No. I am not a candidate for Congress," Jackson said. "I intend to remain an alderman."
Jackson was asked if her husband being sent to jail for allegedly using campaign dollars to decorate her home would constitute "something catastrophic."
"I'm not going to entertain questions like that, I really am not," Jackson responded.
The Jacksons have remained in Washington as the former congressman continues to consult with doctors over treatment for his bipolar disorder. His wife said she believed her constituents understood why she had been missing meetings back in Chicago.
"I think my constituents understand this. I'm not going to respond to one or two people who have some angst about my attendance in City Council," she said. "This has been a tough year for me, there's no doubt about that."
Jackson said the family had also not decided yet whether to move full-time back to Chicago.
"What I'm doing right now is concentrating on delivering the best city services possible to the ward," Jackson said. "When that decision is made I'll be sure to let you know."
The race for the 2nd District congressional seat is expected to be competitive. Two former House members, Rep. Mel Reynolds and Rep. Debbie Halvorson, have announced that they will seek the Democratic nomination. They will be joined by state Sens. Toi Hutchinson, Napoleon Harris and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale.
The Democratic primary — which will likely decide the election in the heavily liberal South Side district — will be held on Feb. 26.
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