I’m Feeling A Run for Governor

Convicted former Congressman Mel Reynolds announces at a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, in Chicago that he's joining the increasingly crowded field running for the congressional seat Jesse Jackson Jr. vaca... Convicted former Congressman Mel Reynolds announces at a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, in Chicago that he's joining the increasingly crowded field running for the congressional seat Jesse Jackson Jr. vacated last week. Reynolds resigned from office in 1995 after being convicted of having sexual relations with an underage campaign worker. The Democrat also went to prison after being convicted of fraud for concealing debts to obtain bank loans and diverting money intended for voter registration drives into his election campaign. Jackson was first elected in a special election to replace Reynolds. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

I’ll come out and say it: We need more Congressmen like Mel Reynolds. Or at least more ex-Congressmen like Mel Reynolds. Last month we heard that after serving time in the slammer in the 90s for sex with an underage girl and bank fraud Reynolds had landing on his feet and was working as an expat mogul in Zimbabwe with an alleged sideline as a producer/director of gonzo porn. Now he’s hiding out in South Africa to avoid a secret Zimbabwean death squad which he says is out to kill him.

Latest Editors' Blog
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: