Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League, announced her plans to run for U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary election. She made the official announcement Monday through an email. In the email Jackson denounced her only opponent at the time, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, saying:
“I’m not a politician. That’s what my opponent is, a politician. I’m not that. I’m a problem solver.”
Jackson, who is also a former aid for the controversial Governor Rod Blagojevich, believes she should be given credit for reviving the Urban League from a focus on Civil Rights to economic expansion and job development.
“We’ve been focused on creating jobs, connecting people to jobs and helping to educate and train and prepare people for jobs. That’s all that I’ve been doing, immersed in this work, hands-on experience and in the trenches.”
Jackson will hold a formal ceremony next month to commemorate her entrance into the Senate race.
