Cheryle Jackson Running For Obama's Old Senate Seat

CHICAGO — A political rookie who was a top aide to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Monday that she intends to run for the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.

Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson's entry into the race makes her the best-known black candidate to seek the seat that has been held by three of the nation's four black senators in modern times. The Senate's only black member – Roland Burris – currently holds it. He is not seeking a full term because of fundraising troubles.

Jackson issued a statement about her intention to run and plans to formally announce her candidacy next month. She said she plans to take a leave of absence from her job to mount a campaign.

Although this will be her first run for elected office, Jackson already has political baggage because of her Blagojevich ties. She worked as his spokeswoman during his first term, when federal prosecutors were investigating his administration's hiring practices.

"Those were not my decisions," said Jackson, who left the administration to join the Chicago Urban League in October 2006.

Jackson, 44, said she feels a duty to serve and would bring to Washington her experience at creating economic opportunities that has been at the heart of her work with the civil rights organization she leads.

Jackson will face Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois' treasurer, in the Democratic primary in February. The Giannoulias campaign declined to comment on Jackson's announcement.

The race also has attracted Republicans, including Rep. Mark Kirk, a five-term congressman from Chicago's north suburbs; retired Judge Don Lowery; entrepreneur Eric Wallace; and former Harvey Alderman John Arrington. Wallace and Arrington are also black.

Burris was crippled politically when he accepted the appointment to the Senate seat from Blagojevich in December after the then-governor was arrested on federal corruption charges. Blagojevich was later impeached and removed from office in January by lawmakers.

Comments

[Chitown95]

We need someone to beat that B.S. talking congressman Kirk and Cheryle Jackson's is not the one!
Right now it is Alexi Giannoulias!

[Rayme]

Republicans didn't support the Bush/Cheney elections, We think that those elections here both stolen. I'm an Independent and won't be voting for anyone connected to Blago.

[guajiro]

Wow, I can't believe the hypocrites here on this post, both democrat and republican. If guilt by association is the standard, then why are so many on the right supporting Bush/Cheney? They are associated with a felon, Oliver North, not to mention Scooter Libby:http://www.infowars.com/articles/us/cheney_aide_says_bush_okayed_leak.htm
For democrats, what about Hillary's ties to Lobbyist Mark Penn, an enabler for the mass murders of peasants in El Salvador in order to please corporate benefactors?
You are led by the noses with the ease of a child leading a lamb to slaughter.

[anastomosis]

Is this place "Chicago" in Alaska?

[Palemoon]

Quite alot of people here already spelling out her defeat. So what you people are saying, that the GOP has nothing to offer but to attack her over an association with Blago?

Can someone explain why people vote for the candidates they do? I thought people were voting for whom they considered the best person for the job. Not which side had the better talking points.

No wonder the US is such a mess, political pundits behave as if our elections are tatamount to schoolyard taunts.

[Smokin32]

I'm a Dem and I wouldn't vote for anyone associated with Blago. She was an aid, where was she when all this crooked blatant activity was going on? Why would someone who turns a blind eye to what Blagovich has done be a good choice to replace him?!

[Rayme]

If we wanted the best person for the job, why did we vote for Obama, he has no experience and it shows in everything he has done since getting elected. You're right however, if we wanted the best person for the job, we would have voted for Ron Paul

[BerkeleyHills]

Carol,
I've read your post three times and can't seem to determine what it is your trying to say. Is this an announcement for Ms. Jackson's candidacy to run for Senate or letting others know that you have access to Ms. Jackson? What?
Perhaps in fifteen of twenty years Ms. Jackson will be ready for the Senate. But I must say, I admire her chutzpah, if not her astounding lack of common sense in believing that her immediate past will not doom her chances, on wanting to follow the carney drifter presently embarrassing Illinois in the United States Senate.

[SoccerNana]

She will never win.

[billysix]

I hope not. She would be tough to look at for a full term. Wow.

[DASChicago]

I wished her candidacy for a different office ;-(

[BushBites]

"A political rookie who was a top aide to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich"

-----------------

Two strikes.

[VOTER]

No kidding.

[Rangergirl]

Don't think she will have a snowballs chance....Nobody associated with Blago will win.

[madHenry]

This Illinois voter says "nope."

[Chicagofan1]

The more the better. One is "briter" then other.
LOL.
This will be the race to watch. The worse both parties can offer in Illinois.
She has a great picture with Obama's family thou.

[consultant55]

Cheryl who?

[MacManLB]

Anybody associated with Blagojevich however tangential is automatically disqualified. In her case, she was a top aide which means that she has to wear the stench of Blagojevich where ever she goes.

[HekmabaJuzimax]

She should know that, but the fact that she's running anyway means she just doesn't care.

[MrJM]

"a top aide to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich"

Just add the word "disgraced" and you will have her opponents' favorite talking point.

-- MrJM