The Hill News

After considering a run, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) announced Monday he will not enter the crowded race for mayor of Chicago.

Jackson, the son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, told the Chicago Tribune that he has “many friends and colleagues” who may run for mayor, but declined to make an endorsement. 

"I will continue to work hard on behalf of the people of my district, as I have for the past 15 years, to bring federal resources to Chicago and the South Suburbs for transportation, health care, education and economic development projects," Jackson said.

Jackson is the third member of Congress to decide not to run for the office being vacated by six-term Mayor Mayor Richard Dal! ey (D), the others being Reps. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) 

Jackson and his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson, both considered a run for mayor following Daley's surprising announcement he would retire.

The congressman served as a national co-chairman of then-Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) presidential campaign in 2008, but was named as one of several individuals former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) was considering appointing as interim senator to fill Obama's seat after the election.

The congressman has denied any wrongdoing and was not a target of the Blagojevich investigation and trial, which ended in the governor being convicted on one count of lying to federal investi! gators.