Will Chicagoans soon be referring to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D.-Ill) as Mayor Jackson?
The rumors have been have growing like a grass fire. So what's Jackson saying on the matter? Absolutely nothing!
However, the son of the Rainbow Coalition founder and civil rights leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, hinted during a Sunday "listening tour" across the city that he plans to form a mayoral exploratory committee, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Back in July, one of Jackson's longtime confidantes, Frank Coconate, said that the 41-year-old U.S. representative would only run for mayor if Mayor Richard Daley does not seek re-election.
At that time Jackson said: "I am still contemplating a principled effort to rebuild democracy in Chicago" but did not dispute Coconate's account.
Daley has not said whether or not he plans on running for re-election.
If Jackson decides to run, he'll be the third declared candidate in February's mayoral election.
Already in the race are Bill "Dock" Walls, a one-time aide to the late Mayor Harold Washington, and Dorothy Brown, clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is also speculated to be a possible contender.