The abrupt resignation of Jesse
Jackson, Jr., from the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 only weeks after being
re-elected gave Democratic politicians in Chicago a rare opportunity to get their hands on a
Congressional seat. The New York Times observed at the time that such seats “in Democratic
strongholds” of Chicago “do not come open very often, and when they do, a line
forms fast.” According to Debbie Halvorson, who ran against Jackson, “If
someone is thinking of becoming a congresswoman or congressman, this might be
their only chance. Whoever gets this will have it forever, they say. That’s why
everyone wants to take a chance.” In other words, the office is a sort of
personal entitlement. From a democratic standpoint, this represents “slippage.”
Even though the U.S. House Chamber looks large, it represents 310 million people. Source: Britannica
Source:
Steven Yaccino and Monica Davey, “Illinois
Sets Election Dates to Replace Jackson in House,” The New York Times, November 27, 2012.
