WASHINGTON — Former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., who pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds and served time in federal prison, announced a comeback bid Wednesday, entering the Democratic primary for the 2nd District.

He joins a crowded field seeking the seat being vacated by Rep. Robin Kelly, his successor in Congress who is running for Illinois’ open Senate seat.

“On my life’s journey, I’ve borne the burden of self-inflicted pain and suffering. I’ve learned that we cannot be born again from our mother’s womb. We must be born again of a new spirit, a new hope,” Jackson said in his campaign launch video.

Jackson, in his video, referred to his legendary father, civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, noting that Wednesday was his father’s 84th birthday.

“I am responding to a draft movement to enter this race. Like my father before me, I ask for your vote as a vote for a new direction for this district, this party and this nation,” he said.

Jackson was first elected to Congress in a 1995 special election and served for 17 years, representing a deep-blue district that included parts of Chicago’s South Side and surrounding suburban areas. The district now stretches further south into more rural territory outside the Chicago area.

In his video, he cited his work on the Appropriations Committee bringing federal dollars to his district and said he hoped to return to Congress to do that again.

“Give me a chance to finish what I started,” he said.

In Congress, Jackson helped direct federal funds back to Illinois for the Deep Tunnel Project, which was meant to improve flood protection and water quality across Chicagoland. He also sought unsuccessfully to build a third airport in the area.

As a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, he was a mostly reliable vote for Democratic priorities. Still, in his launch video he said he “did what was right for his district, even if it meant breaking the party line.”

Jackson resigned from Congress in November 2012, citing ongoing health issues. He had been largely absent from Capitol Hill in the preceding months while undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder. In February 2013, he pleaded guilty to repeated personal use of campaign funds, totaling roughly $750,000, and was later sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Democrats are shaping up for a competitive primary to succeed Kelly in the 2nd District. Candidates in the race include state Sens. Robert Peters and Willie Preston, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Yumeka Brown, consultant Eric France, youth pastor Jeremy Young and political strategist Adal Regis.

A poll conducted earlier this year found Jackson “well-positioned to win a dominant victory” but would need to win over undecided voters, according to Politico.

Jackson was once considered a potential successor to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley but said he would not run after former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich was found guilty of one count of lying to federal agents.

With his comeback bid, Jackson will also be hoping to join his brother in Congress — Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson is currently serving his second term representing the neighboring 1st District.

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