Longtime Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies

Former presidential candidate and King collaborator passes away after long health battle.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later ran for president, has died at the age of 84 after a prolonged health struggle. Jackson's death has sparked reflections from a former elected official in Oklahoma on his own complicated history with issues of race and representation.

Why it matters

Rev. Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement, helping to advance racial equality and social justice causes for decades. His passing marks the end of an era and prompts difficult conversations about the persistent challenges of racism and discrimination that still exist in America.

The details

Jackson first rose to prominence in the 1960s as a young activist working alongside Dr. King. He later founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1980s. Despite his national stature, Jackson's death has also sparked personal reflections from a former Oklahoma elected official who grappled with his own complicated history on issues of race and representation.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away on February 18, 2026 after a long illness.
  • The former Oklahoma elected official met Rev. Jackson twice - once in Oklahoma City and again at a local restaurant.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.

David Slane

An attorney in Oklahoma City who invited Rev. Jackson to the state to promote storm shelters for schools.

Connie Johnson

A former Oklahoma state senator who dined with the former elected official and Rev. Jackson.

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States, whose association the former elected official feared would hurt his political prospects.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The former elected official says he now regrets avoiding photo opportunities with Rev. Jackson, and hopes to use his platform to break down racial barriers going forward.

The takeaway

Rev. Jackson's death marks the passing of a towering civil rights figure, but also prompts difficult personal reflections on the persistent challenges of racism and the need for greater empathy, understanding and action to address them.