Former State Representative Jack C. Jackson, Jr. filed papers to open a candidate campaign committee for the Legislative District 2 Senate seat last Thursday. Jackson has had a long career of public and tribal service.

Jackson represented District 2 in the 46^th Legislature in the Arizona State House, where he served on the powerful Appropriations Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. He also fought for rural and tribal concerns as a member of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, Water and Native American Affairs Committee. He served alongside his father, Senator Jack C. Jackson, Sr., who represented the region for nearly 20 years.

In 2005, Jackson was appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as the Executive Director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs. His main duty was to ensure the Commission provided assistance to the State of Arizona in fulfilling its responsibilities to Arizona’s 22 Indian Nations and Tribes by making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

Jackson currently serves on the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board, helping to establish the first Navajo casino. He is especially proud the Obama Administration has selected him to once again serve on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. He previously sat on President Clinton’s HIV/AIDS Council. He has also served as a board member for Arizonans for Cultural Development, Arizona Real Estate Advisory Board, and Arizona League of Conservation Voters.

Jackson plans to renew his commitment to public service in the State Senate. “Our state faces some tough challenges,” said Jackson. “Our budget is out of balance, our education system is being decimated and tribal communities are being hit especially hard. My father worked tirelessly for twenty years addressing similar issues. I can no longer sit idly by watching his legacy get dismantled. I am once again compelled to continue the fight for our community and our state.”

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