Bobby Rush

For the blues musician, see Bobby Rush (musician).

Bobby Lee Rush (born November 23, 1946) is an American politician, civil rights leader and pastor. Rush is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 1st congressional district. He was first elected in 1992 and took office in 1993. He retired in 2023. The district was located in the South Side of Chicago.

Bobby Rush
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Charles Hayes
Succeeded by	Jonathan Jackson
Chicago City Alderman for the 2nd Ward
In office 1983–1993
Preceded by	William Barnett
Succeeded by	Madeline Haithcock
Personal details
Born	Bobby Lee Rush (1946-11-23) November 23, 1946 (age 79) Albany, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sandra Milan[1] ​ ​ (m. 1967; div. 1974)​ Carolyn Thomas ​ ​ (m. 1981; died 2017)​
Children	7
Residence	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	Roosevelt University (B.G.S.) University of Illinois at Chicago (M.A.) McCormick Seminary (M.A.) Illinois Institute of Technology (Ph.D.)
Occupation	Politician civil rights leader pastor
Website	House website
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1963–1968

A member of the Democratic Party, Rush is the only politician to have defeated Barack Obama in an election, which he did in the 2000 Democratic primary for Illinois' 1st congressional district.^[2]

A civil rights activist during the 1960s, Rush became radicalized for a period and founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers.

In 1999, Rush ran for Mayor of Chicago, but lost in the Democratic primary to incumbent Richard M. Daley.^[3]

In 2015, Rush endorsed Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Emanuel's run-off reelection campaign against Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.^[4]

On January 3, 2022, he announced that he was retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives.^[5]