House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi officially endorsed Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. for reelection Saturday morning at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC) headquarters in Kenwood.

Pelosi was featured as a guest at RPC’s Saturday Morning Forum, a weekly televised political program hosted by the congressman’s father and former civil rights leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson. The congressman was in attendance as Pelosi gave her views on the economy, education, and healthcare.

Jackson, who has represented Illinois’s 2nd congressional district since 1995, has also received endorsements from President Barack Obama and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The former speaker, however, is the highest ranking Democrat to appear in public with him.

“Thank you for your strong leadership in the Congress of the United States,” Pelosi said, “That’s why I’m here today, to endorse Jesse Jackson, Jr. for reelection.”

Noting his record in the 2nd district and the capitol, Pelosi said that Jackson “deserves reelection.”

“He may be ‘Jr.’ in terms of his title within his family, but he’s very senior in the manner of respect he commands in the Congress of the United States,” she said.

The representative’s accomplishments, according to Pelosi, are evident in $940 million worth of projects to create jobs, improve transportation, and expand healthcare for his constituents. Jackson’s senior position on the House Appropriations Committee also serves his district and state well, she said.

“I remember when he came to Congress with a great name, in the great tradition of his parents, but he came and made his own mark. He has acted upon his belief for a more perfect union for America.”

Former 11th District Representative Debbie Halverson is challenging the incumbent Jackson, who has faced controversy for alleged involvement with former governor Rod Blagojevich’s attempt to sell Barack Obama’s senate seat.