In 1983, Jackson launched a nationwide voter registration drive; a year later he declared his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first African-American to contend seriously for that office. Jackson expanded his political following through a "Rainbow Coalition" of blacks, Hispanics and disadvantaged whites, winning support for his presidential candidacy in 1988. In 1990, he was elected as a non-voting member of the Senate from the District of Columbia and has campaigned for its statehood.

Jackson has remained an advocate for a wide range of civil rights and human rights issues, most recently standing out as a leader in the opposition to the Florida election process, alleging African-Americans were prevented from casting their votes.
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