How Jesse Jackson used the South to reshape Democratic politics

(Delano Massey – Axios) Rev. Jesse Jackson’s influence in the South wasn’t just symbolic — it reshaped how political power is allocated in the Democratic Party, says Emory political scientist Andra Gillespie. Why it matters: Cities from Cleveland to San Francisco are recalling Jackson’s national imprint after his death on Tuesday. He leveraged Southern Black voters to gain bargaining power that changed Democratic primary rules — shifts that still shape presidential contests today. The big picture: Jackson’s career reflected a belief that transforming political and economic power in the Southern states could reshape national politics, and Atlanta was uniquely positioned to amplify that effort. – How Jesse Jackson used the South to reshape Democratic politics