Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of Operation Push organization in Chicago, has publicly endorsed Republican candidate Bob Fioretti for Cook County State's Attorney in the upcoming November election. 

"Bob Fioretti has championed our community for many years as an advocate, a civil rights lawyer, an alderman, and a friend," Jackson said in his endorsement statement. "We need Bob Fioretti as Cook County State's Attorney. This is not about party labels. This is about electing our community's best State's Attorney, who will temper justice with mercy."

Fioretti advanced from the Republican primary in March, and will face Democrat Eileen O'Neill Burke, a former Illinois Appellate Court Judge.

"I'm a firm believer that we all need to pay strict attention to who we agree to support in this upcoming election regardless of race or party affiliation," Former Calumet Township Republican Committeeman Jeffery Coleman said. "I've known Bob for many years and I'm in total agreement with The Reverend Jesse Jackson."

Bob Fioretti is a lifelong resident of Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Mendel High School and went on to earn a B.A. in political science from the University of Illinois, followed by a J.D. from Northern Illinois University. His professional background includes practicing law at Orum & Roth and serving as the head of the Historic Pullman Foundation and the Judicial Evaluation Committee for the Chicago Bar Association Executive Committee.