U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. will face a familiar opponent in the race for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District seat Tuesday.

Anthony Williams, a Lutheran pastor and former social worker who lives in Dolton, is challenging Jackson for the fourth time. Williams previously ran for Jackson's seat as a Libertarian and a Democrat. This time, he is campaigning as a Republican.

Williams said the district needs a representative in Washington, D.C. who understands the struggles its residents face. He criticized Jackson, saying he spends too much time in Washington and does not provide enough services for constituents.

"He is detached from this community," Williams said of his opponent. "I would bring the attitude of coalition building, working with people and public service at its best."

Jackson defended his record, adding he has brought more than $600 million in projects back to his district over the course of his 14 years in Congress.

"My opponent is a perennial candidate who has done nothing but run against me and distort my record," Jackson said.

Both candidates agreed that economic issues, specifically home foreclosures and unemployment, are the most pressing problems in the 2nd District.

Jackson said his goal is to transform the 2nd District's industrial economy into a "service-based economy." He said partnerships between private companies and the government is the best way to create new jobs.

"The south suburbs need a service-based economy that only large public works projects can provide," Jackson said.

Williams said there is an opportunity to expand employment with "green jobs" created to tackle environmental issues. He also said companies could create more positions by moving technical departments, such as call centers, back to the U.S.

"I know that statistics show that when people are working, crime and violence go down," Williams said. "So you combat crime by putting people to work."

Williams criticized Jackson for voting for the federal economic stimulus package.

"I never would have voted for the bailout of Wall Street," he said. "Nobody is talking about bailing out the mother who lost her job, and nobody is talking about bailing out the American people, so let's be fair to the people."

Jackson said he supported the so-called "bailout" plan but was adamant it needed to include a provision to help average people facing foreclosure.

"We insisted on, in the House version of the bill, that the secretary of the Treasury has the power to renegotiate mortgages for regular people," Jackson said.

Another thing Jackson and Williams agree on is their support for presidential candidate Barack Obama. Although he is running as a Republican, Williams said he is not backing his party's presidential candidate. He said he supports Obama because he believes that is "the will of the people."

"I know Barack personally, and we've been on different sides of the fence on many occasions," Williams said. "But, I think he will represent a breath of fresh air for this country."

Jackson, a longtime Obama supporter, is currently serving as his national campaign co-chairman.