A look at Jesse Jackson Jr.'s marriage to Ald. Sandi Jackson
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By Robin Robinson, FOX 32 News at Nine Co-Anchor - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
If the Jackson family has been a political dynasty, Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandi Jackson were certainly this generation's power couple.
The alderman and the congressman started off as college sweethearts in graduate school.
The former Sandra Lee Stevens grew up in Akron, Ohio and transferred to the University of Illinois to be near Jesse Jackson Jr.
In 199, the year before she graduated law school, she married the namesake of one of the nation's most famous civil rights activists. Four years later, Jesse Jackson Jr. was elected to congress in the 2nd district.
In 2000, the couple had a daughter and then a son three years later.
Sandi Jackson's career always involved politics. She held positions as a consultant, scheduler, and press secretary. Once her children were nearing school age, she took the leap into elected office.
In 2007, her husband's family name, connections and contributions helped her to an easy victory in the 7th ward--not only as alderman, but committeeman.
The picture perfect political union showed a major crack a couple years ago when the congressman had an affair with a Capitol Hill waitress. Sandi appeared calm through the public marital storm, saying it was a private matter they would deal with privately.
Most observers believe the pair was still holding out high hopes for higher office like senator, mayor, or maybe more.
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