With the 2026 political midterms approaching, the school’s politically minded Sixth Formers face a familiar responsibility: selecting their representatives. Some may be surprised to learn, however, that one of their own—Haverford alumnus Jahmiel Jackson ’20—is running for Congress and could make history in the process if elected.
Given that the minimum age to serve in the House of Representatives is 25, it is easy to assume that for most members of Gen Z, the thought of running for Congress feels distant, if not unrealistic. For Jackson, though, the idea has been taking shape for years.
“I knew I was going to run for Congress, I think, three or four years ago,” Jackson said. “When I applied to internships, employers would ask me what my goals were, and I told them I wanted to run for office—to come back to West Philadelphia, radically change my community, and be a voice in national politics,” Jackson said.
The sense of purpose sharpened as Jackson watched the political landscape from afar. While studying in a pre-law program at the University of Chicago, he grew increasingly disillusioned with the candidates entering the race on both sides of the aisle. To Jackson, government often seemed disconnected from young people and from those with working-class backgrounds like his own. He is not alone in that view: a Good Governance Survey from the University of Chicago shows that nearly 60 percent of young voters disapprove of both major political parties.
As the Black Lives Matter protests erupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson grappled with staying on the sidelines. At the same time, he wanted to better understand perspectives across the political spectrum. In college, he joined a conservative publication, despite identifying as liberal, in order to engage with ideas different from his own and understand the concerns of people across ideological lines.
In a 2023 NBC 5 Chicago interview, Jackson captured the frustrations he observed firsthand. As a Resident Assistant at the University of Chicago, Jackson voiced concerns from students who felt campus COVID restrictions were unnecessarily limiting their college experience.
To Jackson, moments like these reinforced a larger conclusion: meaningful change would not come without new voices entering politics.
“I was basically new, and I beat people who had been envying that seat for years.”
Jahmiel Jackson ’20
“I saw people jumping into the race who didn’t speak [from] the background that I lived through in Philadelphia,” Jackson said. “I saw more of the same career politicians, and I said I would be remiss if I didn’t come back to Philly and advocate for my generation.”
Jackson’s political instincts were shaped not only by national events but also by personal adversity and his time at Haverford, where he transferred in as a Fifth Former. During his first year, he made history as the first African American student elected to the Honor Council—an achievement that came with resistance.
“I was basically new, and I beat people who had been envying that seat for years,” Jackson said. “That caused a lot of tension and a rift. I think I carried a lot of that experience with me into college.”
Faculty members who knew Jackson during his time at Haverford say his political ambitions were evident early on.
“I think he was always thinking about improving the lives of others, both here and outside of here,” Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Ms. Karen Ley said. “That was always his mission, and he was mature beyond his years as soon as he got here.”
Others echoed that sentiment, pointing to Jackson’s resilience.
“I think he’s used to adversity,” Assistant Director of Admissions Ms. Suzanne Tassoni said. “That experience really guided him.”
Despite encouragement from many to pursue smaller offices, such as the city council or a school board seat, Jackson has remained firm in his decision to run for Congress.
“I’ve heard people say, ‘You should wait’ or ‘You should run for something smaller,’” Jackson said. “But if you listen to your critics and wait for them to be ready for you to take the first step, then you’ll always be too late.”
For Jackson, learning to navigate doubt has been just as important as learning policy. He describes politics and life as a process of adaptation.
“Learning how to pace yourself is huge,” Jackson said. “Whether it’s financial obstacles, doubters, or haters, you have to adapt. That’s not just politics—that’s life.”
“Coming from a single mother of three kids, being homeless for multiple years, losing my father to gun violence—you grow up really fast.”
Jahmiel Jackson ’20
That adaptability, Jackson says, helped him survive—and thrive—in vastly different environments. Growing up in West Philadelphia shaped his worldview in ways he believes few career politicians can replicate.
“Coming from a single mother of three kids, being homeless for multiple years, losing my father to gun violence—you grow up really fast,” Jackson said. “When you’ve lived a life like mine, no one else can impersonate that. Those values and experiences can’t be bought.”
Those experiences also taught him how emotionally complex politics can be, particularly when building coalitions across different identities and struggles.
“I saw people dealing with racial issues, sexuality, poverty—all different kinds of hardship,” Jackson said. “It showed me how difficult it is to build a coalition, but also how necessary it is.”
Jackson credits much of his confidence at Haverford to faculty support, particularly from Ms. Ley.
“One hundred percent, it was Ms. Ley,” Jackson said. “She was always present. Whatever I needed, she was my advocate.”
As Jackson looks ahead to the 2026 midterms, he believes his purpose resonates with young voters.
“I think having that clarity is why so many people have bought into my campaign,” Jackson said. “Young people are frustrated, and we want to fight for the future.”
Historically, midterm elections tend to favor the party opposing the sitting president. Over the past 80 years, 18 out of 20 midterms have resulted in seats flipping—a pattern that could shape the political landscape Jackson hopes to enter.
For Jackson, however, the race is about more than electoral trends. It is about representation, lived experience, and the belief that government should reflect the people it serves.
“I think we, as politicians, should be focused on something,” Jackson said. “We should stand for something—not just be in opposition to the president.”
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