Feb. 17, 2026 8:07 AM EST

By Wade T. Paton

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a titan of the American civil rights movement and the architect of the "Rainbow Coalition," died Tuesday at the age of 84. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago. While his journey began in the segregated South and found its base in the Midwest, Jackson’s political and social influence left a permanent mark on New Jersey, a state he transformed into a laboratory for multiracial democracy.

Jackson’s death follows a decade-long struggle with neurological health. After a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017, he was recently diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative condition that eventually silenced one of the most powerful voices in American history. For a leader whose rhythmic calls of "I Am Somebody" galvanized the disenfranchised, his final silence marks the end of an era of unapologetic, street-level advocacy.

A Jersey Primary Powerhouse

New Jersey was never just a campaign stop for Jackson; it was a proving ground. During his historic 1984 and 1988 presidential runs, the Garden State became a focal point for his strategy of "expanding the tent."

In 1984, Jackson’s entry into the New Jersey Democratic primary shifted the state’s political landscape. Black voters, who made up only 7% of the primary electorate in 1980, surged to 20% in 1984 because of his massive registration drives. He captured 77% of the African American vote in that race, forcing the New Jersey political establishment to recognize a newly organized and vocal constituency.

By 1988, the "Rainbow Coalition" had matured into a formidable force. Jackson did not just carry urban centers like Newark and Camden; he pulled significant support from white progressives and blue-collar workers. He finished a strong second to Michael Dukakis in the state, cementing New Jersey’s reputation as a place where progressive, multiracial coalitions could challenge the status quo.

Labor and the Picket Lines

New Jersey's deep labor roots offered a natural home for Jackson’s activism. Known for walking more picket lines than perhaps any other national figure, Jackson was a frequent presence at union halls from Jersey City to Pennsauken.

He used his Rainbow PUSH Coalition to pressure corporations to adopt "winning covenants"—agreements to hire minority workers and invest in underserved urban areas. For Jersey workers, Jackson was the bridge between the pulpit and the bargaining table, consistently arguing that economic justice was the final frontier of the civil rights struggle.

Tributes from Trenton to Newark

As news of his passing spread, New Jersey leaders reflected on a legacy that felt deeply local.

Governor Phil Murphy described Jackson as a "giant whose shoulders we all stand upon," noting that Jackson’s work in the 1980s redefined the Democratic Party in New Jersey. Senator Cory Booker, who has long cited Jackson as a personal inspiration, called him a "harbinger of hope" who paved the way for a generation of Black leaders in the state.

In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka—whose father, Amiri Baraka, was a contemporary of Jackson’s in the push for Black political power—emphasized Jackson’s grit. Baraka highlighted that Jackson was never afraid to "get his hands dirty" in the Brick City, mediating community disputes and mobilizing voters in the South Ward long after the national cameras had moved on.

Memorializing a Movement

While national services are planned for Chicago and Washington, D.C., New Jersey institutions are organizing their own tributes:

• Newark: A community candlelight vigil is scheduled for tonight at City Hall to honor his ties to the city’s activist history.
• Trenton: The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus is proposing a resolution to permanently honor Jackson’s contributions to the state's voting rights protections.
• Camden: St. John’s Baptist Church, a frequent stop on Jackson’s 1988 tour, will hold a weekend memorial service focused on his impact on urban economic development.

Jackson’s legacy in New Jersey is found in more than just election results. It lives in the political infrastructure of a state that finally began to look like the people it serves. He didn't just visit the Garden State; he helped plant the seeds of its modern political identity.