Now is the Time Jesse Jackson

Photograph of Jesse Jackson smiling, with his arm around the shoulder of Harold Washington with superimposed white text.

Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1988 decided once again to get involved in politics and try to secure the Democratic nomination. He had tried once prior in 1984 and managed to secure 18 percent of the vote in the primaries. His 1988 campaign would also end in a loss, but he did win 11 primaries and secured 20 percent of the vote. In order to help him secure votes in Illinois, he secured the endorsement of Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington. Jackson struggled to gain a unified black vote in the 1984 primaries, with many politicians not aligning with him. This move by Washington helped to signify a change in black politicians' relationship with Jackson.