BIOGUIDE J000309 · FEC H2IL01349
Jonathan Jackson
U.S. Representative (since 2021)DINCUMBENT
- Race
- U.S. House · Illinois's 1st District
- Result
- Jonathan Jackson, projected winner
- Opponent
- Christian Maxwell (R)
- Research
- Basic
Party line17 votes tracked
Broke with Democrats on
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did6 statements · 17 votes
Jonathan Jackson is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois' 1st District, in office since January 2023, and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. The son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, he worked as a business owner, finance instructor and national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before winning the open seat vacated by Bobby Rush, and he sits on the House Agriculture and Foreign Affairs committees.[1][2][3][4]
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 1
2026-11-03
| Jonathan Jackson D | incumbent |
| Christian Maxwell R | challenger |
Won the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Cosponsored Medicare for All, saying healthcare should be a right accessible to all rather than a privilege.
Documented position[5]
Supported measures to raise the minimum wage.
Documented position[9]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 (119th Congress), which would ban the sale and manufacture of many semiautomatic assault weapons.
Documented position[10]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored H.R. 4099, the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (119th Congress), which would protect the ability to travel across state lines to obtain abortion services.
Documented position[11]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored H.R. 8085, the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2026 (119th Congress), which would impose an annual tax on very large household net worth. Cosponsored H.R. 5427, the Billionaires Income Tax Act (119th Congress), which would tax unrealized gains of the wealthiest taxpayers.
Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 38 (119th Congress), a War Powers Resolution measure directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress. Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 40 (119th Congress), a War Powers Resolution measure directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress.
- YESWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.[16]
- YESWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.[17]
2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- NOSAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).[20]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[21]
Biography
Jonathan Jackson is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois' 1st District, in office since January 2023, and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. The son of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, he worked as a business owner, finance instructor and national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before winning the open seat vacated by Bobby Rush, and he sits on the House Agriculture and Foreign Affairs committees.[1][2][3][4]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Jackson was born in Chicago in 1966 to civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, and his official biography says his background is rooted in civil rights activism.[2][3][4] He attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, then earned a bachelor's degree in business from North Carolina A&T State University in 1988 and an MBA from Northwestern University in 1991.[3][4]
Jackson worked as an investment analyst and business owner. With his brother Yusef he became an owner of the Anheuser-Busch distributorship River North Sales and Service in Chicago in 1998, and he later operated Cricket Wireless franchise stores.[3][4] He has taught finance and entrepreneurship, including at City Colleges of Chicago, and is a business professor at Chicago State University, according to Wikipedia.[4] As national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he worked, according to his official biography, on wrongful-conviction cases including those of Darrell Cannon, Oscar Walden and Johnnie Lee Savory.[2] He also took part in international human rights negotiations, including talks that helped secure the release of Navy Lt. Robert Goodman from Syria and 22 Americans detained in Cuba.[2]
Jackson won the 2022 Democratic primary for the open 1st District seat after Rep. Bobby Rush announced his retirement, and he took office in January 2023.[3][4] He won renomination in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary, defeating Jerico Brown, and for the 119th Congress he serves on the House Agriculture and Foreign Affairs committees.[4][22] He won re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election with 71.7% of the vote to Christian Maxwell's 28.3%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207 |
| 2026-02-11 | With partyvoted yes | Resolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210 |
| 2026-02-03 | With partyvoted no | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21 |
| 2026-01-08 | With partyvoted yes | Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196 |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212 |
| 2025-12-10 | Against partyvoted no | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18 |
| 2025-11-18 | With partyvoted yes | Epstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1 |
| 2025-11-12 | With partyvoted no | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 17 votes.
All 17 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans. |
| 2026-02-11 | With partyvoted yes | Resolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy. |
| 2026-02-03 | With partyvoted no | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026. |
| 2026-01-08 | With partyvoted yes | Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans. |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region. |
| 2025-12-10 | Against partyvoted no | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year. |
| 2025-11-18 | With partyvoted yes | Epstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support. |
| 2025-11-12 | With partyvoted no | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively. |
| 2025-07-17 | Against partyvoted yes | CLARITY Act — digital asset market structureH.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · roll call ↗Democrats 78–134 · Republicans 216–0The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries. |
| 2025-07-17 | Against partyvoted yes | GENIUS Act — stablecoin regulationS. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · roll call ↗Democrats 102–110 · Republicans 206–12The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law. |
| 2025-07-03 | With partyvoted no | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passageH.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 218–2H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025. |
| 2025-06-12 | With partyvoted no | Rescissions Act of 2025H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–208 · Republicans 214–4The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades. |
| 2025-05-22 | With partyvoted no | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passageH.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 215–2H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients. |
| 2025-04-10 | With partyvoted no | SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registrationH.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 4–208 · Republicans 216–0The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls. |
| 2025-03-11 | With partyvoted no | Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 1–212 · Republicans 216–1The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations. |
| 2025-01-22 | With partyvoted no | Laken Riley Act — final passageS. 5 · Passed 263–156 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–156 · Republicans 217–0The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions. |
| 2023-05-11 | With partyvoted no | Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passageH.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–211 · Republicans 219–2Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers. |
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- billCosponsored a resolution stating that the United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm.[23]
- billSupported H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.[23]
- billCosponsored the Return Home to Housing Act, addressing per diem payments to entities providing transitional housing to homeless veterans.[24]
In their own words
Priorities
- Says he has worked to build an economy that prioritizes equitable growth, and supported measures to fight inflation, raise the minimum wage, and support small businesses.[9]
- Focuses on expanding access to affordable preschool programs, equitable K-12 school funding, and preserving the legacies of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.[25]
- Says healthcare should be a fundamental human right and has cosponsored Medicare for All.[5]
Campaign money$418K raised · 65% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $269K
- PACs & committees $143K
Largest committee contributions
- National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Health Care Service Corporation Employees' Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Southern Company Gas Employees PAC PAC$10K
- Reynolds American Inc. Political Action Committee; Rai PAC PAC$8,500
- American Association for Justice Political Action Committee (AAJ PAC) PAC$7,500
- Cme Group Inc. PAC PAC$7,500
- Reviving American Jobs Again PAC Dba Equal Opportunity Now PAC$6,999
- The Farm Credit Council Political Action Committee PAC$5,000
- Engineers Political Education Committee (Epec)/International Union of Operating Engineers PAC$5,000
- National Beer Wholesalers Association Political Action Committee PAC$5,000
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/jonathan-l-jackson
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 9 of 445 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (4), Rights & public safety (3), Education & families (2)
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes
A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)
What it does: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for t…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 58–152, Republicans 203–7
Sep 16, 2026Official record ↗
Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act
What it does: Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 95–113, Republicans 122–90
May 13, 2026Official record ↗
To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities, and for other purposes
What it does: This bill requires the U.
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 75–121, Republicans 202–0
Jul 21, 2025Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- No
With most of their party · Passed 214–212 · Yes 214–No 212 · Democrats 0–211, Republicans 214–0
Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act
With most of their party · Failed 214–217 · Yes 214–No 217 · Democrats 214–0, Republicans 0–216
Feb 11, 2026Official record ↗
- No
With most of their party · Passed 217–215 · Yes 217–No 215 · Democrats 0–214, Republicans 216–1
Feb 25, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Failed 215–215 · Yes 215–No 215 · Democrats 213–0, Republicans 2–214
Jan 22, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Failed 213–213 · Yes 213–No 213 · Democrats 211–0, Republicans 2–212
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Illinois U.S. House District 1 election results 2026 · NBC News · 2026-11-09 News report
- 2.About Congressman Jonathan Jackson · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 3.Jonathan Jackson (Illinois) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 4.Jonathan Jackson (Illinois politician) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 5.Health · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 6.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
- 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
- 8.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
- 9.Economy · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 10.H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 (Assault Weapons Ban of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 11.H.R. 4099, the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 12.H.R. 8085, the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2026 (Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2026) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 13.H.R. 5427, the Billionaires Income Tax Act (Billionaires Income Tax Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 14.H.Con.Res. 38 (Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 15.H.Con.Res. 40 (Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 16.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
- 17.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
- 18.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
- 19.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
- 20.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
- 21.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
- 22.Christian Maxwell (campaign website text, Feb. 26, 2025, and Candidate Connection survey) · Ballotpedia · 2025-02-26 Candidate's own words
- 23.About Congressman Jonathan Jackson · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 24.Veterans · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 25.Education · Office of Rep. Jonathan Jackson · 2026-09-25 Official record