The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., the longtime civil rights leader, founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, has died at 84.
Jackson spent more than five decades in public life. For many conservatives and RedState readers, he was often a political opponent whose policy positions and rhetoric ran directly counter to their worldview. Even so, his influence on modern Democratic politics and the civil rights movement is part of the historical record.
His death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which described him in sweeping terms.
“The towering civil rights leader whose moral vision and fiery oratory reshaped the Democratic Party and America.”
That framing reflects how deeply Jackson influenced coalition politics inside the Democratic Party, particularly during the 1980s, when he mounted two serious presidential campaigns that broadened minority voter participation and altered primary strategy.
The Jackson family and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition released a formal statement announcing his passing, emphasizing both his final moments and the arc of his public life.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.”
Beyond confirming his death, the statement positioned Jackson as a long-term movement leader whose activism stretched from the civil rights marches of the 1960s to national political campaigns decades later.
“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless, from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote, leaving an indelible mark on history.”
Jackson’s family then shifted to a more personal reflection, underscoring the balance between public prominence and private life.
“Our father was a servant leader, not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions.”
His passing was also reported by national outlets, which noted that a cause of death was not immediately given and referenced his long health battle.
“A cause of death was not mentioned, but Jackson had suffered from multiple health problems in recent years. In 2017, Jackson revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was also treated for progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare degenerative neurological disorder.”
Jackson first rose to national prominence as a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., participating in civil rights marches before founding Operation PUSH. His ambitions extended beyond protest politics and into electoral politics.
In 1984, he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination and won roughly 18 percent of the primary vote. Four years later, he significantly expanded that base. In 1988, he captured nearly 7 million votes, about 29 percent of the Democratic primary total, finishing first or second in multiple contests. Though he did not secure the nomination, those campaigns marked a historic moment in modern presidential politics.
His early life and political rise were described this way:
“A protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.… born during the Jim Crow era but rose to become a civil rights icon and a groundbreaking politician who mounted two electrifying runs for the presidency in the 1980s.”
Like many figures who spend decades in public life, Jackson also faced controversy. His 1984 campaign drew criticism over antisemitic remarks, and in 2001, he publicly acknowledged that he had fathered a daughter outside his marriage, later issuing an apology.
Even so, he remained active for decades, advocating on issues ranging from voter registration to economic empowerment and, in later years, Senate filibuster reform.
Public observances will be held in Chicago, with further details to be released by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
With his passing, one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures of the modern civil rights era leaves the stage, having left a significant imprint on American politics, whether admired or opposed.
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