Jesse Jackson Jr. is seeking a return to Congress.

Jackson, the son of civil rights advocate Jesse Jackson, announced on his YouTube channel Wednesday that he is running to represent Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District in the u.s. House. 

Jackson represented the Prairie State’s 2nd District from 1995 to 2012, resigning shortly after winning reelection for a ninth full term. The district includes Chicago’s Kenwood community, South Side areas and southern suburbs. 

In February 2013, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements after using roughly $750,000 in campaign funds for personal purchases. He served 30 months in prison. 

Jackson announced his candidacy on his father’s 84th birthday. The elder Jackson ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, and was shadow senator for D.C. from 1991-97. 

“Like my father before me, I ask for your vote, as a vote for a new direction for this district, this party and this nation,” the younger Jackson said. “A vote of conviction. A vote of conscience.”

Jackson touted himself as having “spent my entire life fighting for working people, and I will continue to fight to reform the system to create greater fairness, equity and opportunity for all communities.” The 60-year-old added that he will fight “against the forces of evil and fascism” if voters send him back to Washington.

Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly succeeded Jackson in 2013, and has represented the 2nd District since. In May, Kelly announced she was running for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) upper chamber seat in 2026.