Chicagojesse jackson jr. successorJesse Jackson, Jr.Video

Jesse Jackson Jr. Special Election: Mel Reynolds, Convicted Ex-Congressman, Enters The Race

Ex-Congressman Convicted Of Child Porn Hopes To Replace Jackson Jr.
|

Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

The already-crowded field of possible successors to Jesse Jackson Jr. expanded Wednesday to include Mel Reynolds, the disgraced former congressman whose conviction on child pornography and a bevy of other charges preceded his resignation from and Jackson's 1995 election to Congress.

Reynolds, who served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 as a Democrat, said Wednesday that his campaign to succeed the congressman who succeeded him in Illinois' 2nd congressional district is "far from a joke," NBC Chicago reports.

"Come with me in the community. Let's just walk randomly and see what the reaction is," Reynolds urged reporters, according to NBC. He spoke in front of a sign declaring "Redemption" posted on the wall and behind a podium emblazoned with his apparent campaign slogan: "So he can finish the work."

Reynolds, 60, did acknowledge that he has made "mistakes" in the past, but downplayed his past convictions -- which include criminal sexual assault, child pornography, wire fraud and lying to the Federal Election Commission -- as happening "almost 18, 20 years ago," the Tribune reports. His sentences were commuted by then-President Bill Clinton.

"The fact of the matter is, nobody’s perfect," the former congressman, a Harvard graduate and former political up-and-comer, noted.

(Scroll down to view other candidates rumored to be running for Jackson's former congressional seat.)

Meanwhile, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that Jackson, 47, may have been tipped off on the federal probe that coincided with his extended medical leave from Washington and, subsequently, his abrupt resignation from Congress about two weeks after he was handily reelected to a ninth term.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Jesse Jackson Jr. Successors? Who's In, Who's Out
IN: Robin Kelly(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this photo taken Aug. 18, 2010, Robin Kelly, former Illinois state representative and current Cook County Chief Administrative officer, is seen during Democrats Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. On Dec. 2, Kelly announced her run for Jackson's seat from a restaurant in suburban Matteson, Ill. (credit:AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
OUT: Toi Hutchinson(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this Dec. 13, 2011 file photo Illinois Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, speaks on the Senate floor in Springfield. Hutchinson dropped out of the race in February 2013. (credit:AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
OUT: Napoleon Harris(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
The State Senator-elected and former NFL player -- who also owns two pizza chains -- was formerly among the special election candidates. He formally announced his run on Nov. 27. Harris announced he was dropping out of the race in late January. Pictured: Harris poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
IN: Lenny McAllister(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
Conservative pundit Lenny McAllister told DNAinfo.com Chicago that he is running for Jackson's congressional seat. As of Dec. 5, he will be running unopposed in the Republican primary. (credit:Lenny McAllister Facebook)
IN: Debbie Halvorson(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
Debbie Halvorson speaks to supporter as she gives her concession speech March 20 in Homewood, Ill. Halvorson, a former congresswoman who unsuccessfully challenged Jackson in the democratic primary, confirmed on Nov. 25 that she will give the seat another go. (credit:AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
IN: Mel Reynolds(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 1995 file photo, U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds responds to question in Chicago. Reynolds has scheduled a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, in Chicago to announce that he is running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress. The Harvard-educated Democrat later also went to prison after being convicted of fraud for concealing debts to obtain bank loans and diverting money intended for voter registration drives into his election campaign. Jackson was first elected to Congress in 1995 in a special election to replace Reynolds. Reynolds said on Nov. 28 his new campaign is "far from a joke." (AP Photo/Fred Jewell, File) (credit:AP)
IN: Anthony Beale(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale jumped into the race on Nov. 29 to replace his former political mentor, Jesse Jackson Jr."I'm the only candidate in this race [who] has created thousands of jobs. ... One project alone has created 3,000 to 4,000 jobs. That's the kind of leadership we need," he said in the Sun-Times. (credit:WikiMedia:)
OUT: Anne Marie Miles(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
Attorney and community activist Anee Marie Miles announced in a press release on Dec. 3 she would consider running for the 2nd Congressional District seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr. However, Miles had not filed by the Feb. 7 deadline. Miles ran unsuccessful bids against fifth ward Alderman Leslie Hairston, first in 2011 to unseat the alderman, and again in 2012 in a race for the ward's role of Democratic Committeeman. (credit:annemariemiles.com)
OUT: Donne Trotter(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, listens to testimony during a Senate Executive committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, May 30, 2012 in Springfield Ill. Trotter told Crain's he is "in the race" in November and his campaign continued despite his arrest on a federal weapons charge. Nevertheless, in late December, Trotter was ready to drop out of the race. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP)
OUT: David Miller(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
Former Illinois Rep. David. Miller argues mass transit funding legislation while on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. Miller's name has been floated in multiple media reports on the upcoming special election.As of the Feb. 7 filing deadline, Miller had not officially entered the race. (credit:AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
OUT: Sam Adam Jr.(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
Sam Adam Jr., one of the former attorneys for ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, listens to testimony to the Illinois house impeachment committee January 8, 2009 in Springfield, Illinois. Adam is considering a congressional run.As of the Feb. 7 filing deadline, however, Adams was nowhere to be seen on the ballot. (credit:Scott Olson/Getty Images)
OUT: Sandi Jackson(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this Feb. 16, 2011 file photo, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, wife of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., is seen in her Chicago office. Jackson had previously discussed her congressional aspirations and told DNAinfo Chicago to "never say never" to her taking a stab at the seat for a story published on Dec. 10. Later that day, however, she decided to say never: she proclaimed to the Associated Press that she is not running for Congress. (credit:AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
OUT: Will Burns(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
Chicago Alderman Will Burns walks in the Bud Billiken Parade. Burns was reportedly interested in succeeding Jackson in Congress. "We'll see," he told CBS Chicago.However, Burns tweeted on Nov. 30 he would not seek Jesse Jackson Jr's seat. (credit:Will Burns Facebook)
OUT: Jonathan Jackson(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, gets hugs from sons Jonathan, center, and Yusef following his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 15, 2000, in Los Angeles. Jonathan Jackson is rumored to be considering a run in the special election, according to the Associated Press.In late November, NBC Chicago handicapped the race, speculating the odds of Jonathan Jackson running to be 12-1. However, in a Dec. 18 report on Fox Chicago, Jackson said he will not be running in the race. (credit:AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
OUT: Toni Preckwinkle(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
Though Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has consistently denied rumors that she is interested in running for other offices -- most recently, for Illinois governor -- her name was also being floated as a possible Jackson successor. On Dec. 4, Preckwinkle called such rumors "complete and total nonsense." (credit:WikiMedia:)
OUT: Todd Stroger(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
In this June 28, 2006 file photo, Todd Stroger answers a question at a news conference after a Chicago City Council meeting. Stroger was interested in Congress, the Sun-Times reported. UPDATE: DNAinfo Chicago reports Stroger is no longer considering a congressional run. (credit:AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip