CHICAGO (AP) — In a city where having a well-known last name counts, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s is one that matters.

The seven-term House member is part of one of Chicago's best-known families with civil rights leader Jesse Jackson as his father and a Chicago alderman as his wife.

An ambitious politician, the younger Jackson represents part of Chicago's South Side and the southern suburbs.

Eager for an appointment to President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in the U.S. Senate, Jackson now finds himself in a political scandal after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested this week on corruption charges for trying to sell Obama's seat to the highest bidder.

Jackson has strongly denied being involved "whatsoever in any wrongdoing," but he was referenced in Blagojevich's criminal complaint — although not by name — and that has brought him unwanted political attention.

"It is awkward, but he's trying to turn it to his advantage by coming out quickly to reply," said University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor Dick Simpson.

The 43-year-old Jackson has built up his political career since first getting elected to Congress in a 1995 special election to replace imprisoned former Illinois Rep. Mel Reynolds. He has a spot on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Like his father, Jackson is known for his ability deliver a good speech, even speaking at this summer's Democratic National Convention about now President-elect Barack Obama.

"I've seen the difference he's made in the lives of people across Illinois. And that is why I know that for the sake of our children, our families, and the future we hold in common, he is the leader America needs right now," Jackson said of Obama during his convention speech.

Jackson has been an ardent supporter of Obama, serving as national co-chair of his presidential campaign, although that sometimes put him at odds with his father.

When his father last year wrote a column questioning the commitment of Obama and other Democratic candidates — except John Edwards — to the needs of black voters, the younger Jackson wrote a response in the Chicago Sun-Times headlined "You're wrong on Obama, Dad."

This summer, the younger Jackson repudiated comments his father was forced to apologize for when he was caught making crude off-air statements about Obama during a break in taping for a television show.

Although Jackson had harsh words for his father, their family bond can't be denied.

"Revered Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him," he said in a statement then.

Congressman Jackson is not a native of the city that has become synonymous with his family's name. He was born in Greenville, S.C.

He is a graduate of North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, N.C. and he has a master's degree from in theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary and a law degree from the University of Illinois.

He and his wife, Sandi, have two children.

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