Jackson Wins Re-election Despite Illness, Absence

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Constituents in the 2nd Congressional District had not heard from their congressman in months before getting an automated phone call from him asking for their vote and their patience.

Opponents and critics said that the way U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. handled his absence from Congress was "unfair" to the people of the district and suggested that he step aside as congressman to take time to heal from his bipolar depression diagnosis.

But on Tuesday, voters proved that they had the last -- and only -- say in the matter as they re-elected Jackson to another term in office.

"My deep and sincere thanks to the people of the 2nd Congressional District. I am humbled and moved by the support shown today. Every day I think about your needs and concerns," he said in a written statement. "My family and I are grateful for your prayers and kind thoughts. I continue to feel better every day and look forward to serving you."

Jackson has been on an official leave of absence since June and had not been to work in the U.S. House of Representatives for days before that.

Throughout the ordeal the veteran congressman, namesake son of civil rights leader and two-time former presidential candidate Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., had been silent about his illness. Save for a few written statements from his congressional office asking for patience and understanding from his constituents, little was known about why Congressman Jackson was not able to work or where he was. But then over the summer, word was released that he was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression.

Jackson's family, speaking on his behalf, said publicly that it was not clear when the congressman would be well enough to return to work. Jackson said he would not remove himself from the 2012 general election day ballot and evidenced by Tuesday's win, he prevailed from empathy from his supporters.

"Once the doctors approve my return to work, I will continue to be the progressive fighter you have known for years," the newly re-elected Jackson said in the victory statement.

Last month U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush, D-1st, and Danny Davis, D-7th, travelled to Jackson's Washington, D.C. home near DuPont Circle for a visit. The congressmen told reporters when they returned from the visit that their colleague was sick -- and would be out indefinitely -- but deserved both time to heal and another term in office.

Rush said that Jackson should be cut some slack, allowed to continue in office and have a chance to fully recover. Though Jackson, who has been in office since 1995, has been on leave for five months Rush said Jackson has only missed 30 days of work. He explained that Congress has only been in session a limited number of times since June 2012. Rush added that when Jackson was well, he was vibrant on the House floor and rarely missed voting on legislation.

When you look at it and add it up it doesnt add up to him being derelict in his duties, said Rush.

Jackson marched with Rush and Davis earlier this year when Rush launched a protest against Metra after the commuter rail agency failed to have enough African American contractors and construction workers involved in a project on the South Side of Chicago.

The congressman, who sits on the House Appropriations committee, kicked off the first steps toward making part of the Pullman area on the Far South Side of Chicago a national park. He also continued to push for a third airport in the south suburbs which he said would create jobs and be an economic engine for the area.

The south suburbs which he said would create jobs and become an economic engine for the area. With the re-election campaign behind him, Jackson, 47, gets to focus on his recovery.

By Rhonda Gillspie

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