Patch on Politics

Did Life in the Shadow of President Obama Push Jesse Jackson Jr. Over the Edge?

A columnist who's covered Jackson since his first days in public office suggests Obama's rise sent Jackson to his downfall.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.— who came into Congress bearing the heavy weight of his family name and lofty ambitions — counted Chicago's third airport as a signature issue for the better part of his time in office. And there's been no stauncher advocate for that project than Southtown columnist Phil Kadner. Construction of such an airport would bring much-needed jobs to an area plagued by chronic unemployment, and the airport itself, once realized, would serve as an economic engine for decades to come. So went the mantra. Targeted for a rural area outside the 2nd District until the latest congressional remap put the land into his district, Jackson's pursuit of the airport irritated Democrats and Republicans alike, from Chicago to Will …

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Jesse Jackson Jr. Files FEC Spending Disclosure

The Federal Election Commission has posted a detailed breakdown of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s campaign finances for the 2011-2012 election year.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. recently filed his campaign finance disclosure for the 2011-2012 election year with the Federal Election Commission, detailing the sources of his campaign contributions as well as how his campaign has spent those funds. His campaign received contributions totaling $983,096 from 811 individual donations. His campaign's spending added up to $1,035,153, and he had $113,055 left in his war chest when all was said and done. Some of the highlights of his spending include:

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