Elections

Former Rep. Mel Reynolds, convicted felon, wants Jesse Jackson Jr.’s seat in Congress

Chicago Tribune Contributor
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Disgraced former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds said he will ask voters to focus on his congressional experience rather than his state and federal criminal record as he announced his bid today for the seat held by Jesse Jackson Jr., who has resigned.

Reynolds held the 2nd Congressional District seat from 1993 until October 1995, when a Cook County jury convicted him of several sex-related charges, including having sex with an underage volunteer campaign worker. While serving time in state prison, Reynolds also was convicted on federal financial and campaign fraud charges. President Bill Clinton commuted Reynolds’ sentence to time served in 2001.

Full story: Convicted former Rep. Mel Reynolds wants Jackson seat in Congress