Former Rep. Mel Reynolds joins race for Jackson seat

Former Rep. Mel Reynolds (D-Ill.) is jumping into the special election race for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat.

According to the Associated Press, Reynolds has scheduled a news conference on Wednesday where he will announce his candidacy for the former congressman's seat.

Reynolds resigned from Congress in 1995 after he was convicted of sexual relations with a campaign worker who was underage. Reynolds also spent time in prison for misusing money meant for voter registration efforts in his election.

Reynolds joins what is becoming a crowded field for Jackson's seat. Former Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), Alderman Will Burns, and former NFL linebacker and state Sen. Napoleon Harris (D) have either indicated or outright said they plan to run for Jackson's seat.

Earlier in November Jackson resigned from office citing his ongoing battle with bipolar disorder.

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