Eric Jackson was the 47th

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

of Trenton, the capital of

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

, having assumed office on July 1, 2014 for a four-year term. In January 2018 he announced he would not seek re-election.

Background

Jackson was born and raised in Trenton. He attended public schools and the

Hun School The Hun School of Princeton is a private, coeducational, secondary boarding school located in Princeton in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. The school serves students from sixth through twelfth grades. Currently, the head of school is ...

Princeton Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nin ...

. He received his degree in public administration at

Fairleigh Dickinson University Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university with its main campuses in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Founded in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson University currently offers more than 100 degree programs to its students. In addition to its tw ...

after which he worked for Citibank for seven years. He later became Director of Operations and Personnel for the nonprofit Henry J. Austin Center, a Trenton-based primary health care provider. Jackson worked for the City of Trenton including several policy and administrative positions, finally becoming the Director of Public Works. In September 2011, he took a job as director of the Department of Public Works and Urban Development in

Plainfield, New Jersey Plainfield is a city in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, known by its nickname as "The Queen City."

but received a residency waiver so he could still live in Trenton.

Election

In 2010 ran for mayor and lost a run-off election by three votes to then-Councilman Manuel Segura for the chance to challenge the eventual winner, Tony F. Mack. He won the run-off election of June 10, 2014. On June 17, the mayor-elect met with Governor

Chris Christie Christopher James Christie (born September 6, 1962) is an American politician, lawyer, political commentator, lobbyist, and former federal prosecutor who served as the 55th governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. Christie, who was born in N ...

who pledged his support and willingness to work with the incoming administration. Jackson was sworn in on July 1, 2014.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Eric 1959 births Living people Mayors of Trenton, New Jersey New Jersey Democrats Fairleigh Dickinson University alumni Hun School of Princeton alumni African-American mayors in New Jersey 21st-century American politicians 21st-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American people