Jesse Jackson , a longtime civil-rights activist and Democratic political leader, has died. About a year after Jesse was born, his mother married Charles Jackson, a postal worker who adopted the boy. The campaign drew support from liberal members of the Democratic Party, especially minority groups. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., a former Democratic congressman from Chicago, resigned in 2012 during an investigation into alleged misuse of campaign funds. Jesse Jackson announced in 2017 that he had Parkinson’s disease and said he planned to remain active as long as possible.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 17, 2026 11:00 UTC