After Felony Conviction, Jesse Jackson Jr. Wants His Seat Back: A Second Chance

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On August 14th of 2014, former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to thirty months in federal prison. It was an unfortunate end to a 17-year career as a Congressman. After pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud earlier in that same year, the thirty months offered him a light at the end of the tunnel.

Unlike other politicians before him, he wouldn’t be serving over a decade behind bars. But when he pleaded guilty, he couldn’t have imagined he’d ever have a chance at having his seat back. The felony conviction of Donald Trump and reelection changed that. Now, Jackson is asking for a second chance, and people are asking, does he deserve it? Here’s why the answer is “yes.”

“I paid my debt to society in full.”

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Jesse Jackson Jr. made an argument for being reelected. “I own my behavior. I pled guilty, I accepted responsibility, I paid my debt to society in full. I don’t owe America anything else.”

On top of pleading guilty, Jackson did over two years in federal prison. The purpose of incarceration is to reform and repay debts. Since his release, Jackson has not been arrested for any other crimes. He also managed to be a motivation for others. Furthermore, he didn’t commit 34 felonies or use his power to free other felons. Because of that, his conviction has to be looked at in perspective.

The Crime

Jesse Jackson Jr. pled guilty to misusing campaign funds. The government accused him of using those funds for his own personal expenses. Prosecutors accused him and his wife of illegally spending over $750,000. They claimed the couple spent the money on a $43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch, thousands on furs and memorabilia from Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. Additionally, prosecutors said the husband and wife blew over $60,000 on lifestyle upgrades. It sounds bad because it is, but it is not 34 felony counts. Because of that, Jackson’s crime has to be put into perspective.

Jackson didn’t commit murder or kidnapping. He misappropriated campaign funds. It’s vanilla. There are politicians, a president, who’s been convicted of worse civilly and criminally. Jackson deserves a second chance, and plenty of people with power and money agree.

Leading the Future

One of Jackson’s biggest supporters is Leading the Future, an organization focusing on AI and tech jobs. It’s a political action committee that promotes the agenda of tech companies. The organization believes Jackson is the candidate to connect the state to this job readiness movement. Although some are uncomfortable with Jackson’s receiving money from tech PACs, others realize the companies they represent provide jobs and skills to many Americans. Plus, Leading the Future isn’t Jackson’s only supporter.

Southland Ministerial Alliance has officially endorsed Jackson. This group of pastors and ministers has framed Jackson’s story as one of redemption. They believe this is supposed to be his second chance. Also, Think Big, another PAC, is endorsing his reelection. The heavy hitters are out, and they are letting it be known that a 13-year-old conviction won’t stop them from supporting Jackson.

The Takeaway

Jesse Jackson Jr. is running to take back the seat he owned for 17 years as U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, known as the Chicago Southland. He held that seat from 1995 until his resignation in 2012. Now, he’s back with the support of Leading the Future, the Southland Ministerial Alliance and other powerful organizations. He has earned his second chance many times over.

Jermaine Reed, MFA is an educator and the Editor in Chief of TheReedersBlock. FOLLOW him for the boldest perspectives.

Author’s Perspective: I imagine that some people will call my comparison of Jackson to Trump as whataboutism. It’s an analysis of politicians.

Next point: I called Jackson’s crime vanilla because I write news, and I’ve seen the crimes politicians commit. What Jackson did was a Tuesday in Washington. That wasn’t to downplay what he did to his constituents which was wrong. It just wasn’t the wrongest thing a politician usually does.