Senator Robert Jackson

Growing up in Northern Manhattan with eight brothers and sisters, times were often challenging. As a student at PS 186, Robert Jackson never dreamed that one day he would be a New York State Senator. It was possible through hard work, perseverance, and the help of good people in the community. Teachers like his track coach at Benjamin Franklin High School, Mr. Irwin Goldberg, served as a mentor and made sure he went to college which  made all the difference. That’s why Senator Jackson has fought hard to knock down barriers and ensure every child receives the best education possible.

Senator Robert Jackson has taken on difficult fights on behalf of New Yorkers and never backed down: in his first elected position as School Board President where he launched the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) school funding lawsuit, walked 150 miles to Albany to highlight the cause, and won a court judgment that awarded $16 billion for NYC public schools; in his 12 years on the City Council where he sponsored the Small Business Jobs Survival Act and fought for justice and equality; and now as a State Senator championing public education, workers rights, climate justice, gun safety, and more. He knows how to get things done and has a record to prove it.

In 2001, Robert Jackson was elected to the City Council—and was twice overwhelmingly re-elected by the voters of his upper Manhattan district. During his tenure, and because of his experience, commitment and leadership, he was chosen to first Chair the Contracts Committee, later the Education Committee, and was twice elected by his peers to Co-Chair the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus. On the City Council, Robert worked to ensure every child got the best education we have to offer by helping to create more than 4,000 new openings for pre-K, fought to prevent thousands of teacher layoffs, and helped start the Drop-Out Prevention Initiative. He worked to increase jobs and opportunities by sponsoring a landmark NYC MWBE law and the FDNY Diversity bill. He led the way for the creation of  a community people-power training program cited as a national model by the Clinton Global Initiative. He supported the increase of immigrant services, was an early advocate for marriage equality, passed the Student Safety Act, and a leader in combating bullying in schools. He fought for smart budget choices that kept senior centers, libraries, and fire stations open. And he worked to make our neighborhoods safer by getting guns off the street through partnering with community groups, sponsoring Gun Buyback Programs, and advocating for stronger state and federal legislation. 

Finally in 2018, Robert Jackson was elected to the New York State Senate for District 31 where he delivered on all of his campaign promises- passing pro-tenant rent reform, the Dream Act, gun safety laws and legislation that protects gender reproductive and LGBTQ rights. One of his greatest legislative achievements was  delivering on his signature cause– to secure  full funding for our  public schools. Jackson has continued to walk the walk and push for education, from being at the forefront in the fight to reduce class sizes to helping pass legislation to improve access to higher education for marginalized groups like immigrants and veterans. He continues to successfully advocate for fairness and equality at the state level. 

Shortly after winning the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, NY1 named Robert Jackson as New Yorker of the Year  “for being a staunch advocate for generations of New York City children, for never giving up on the belief that education is a basic civil right, and for giving millions of city students a fighting chance.” Earning the name “Action Jackson” from his colleagues, Robert continues to lead on getting bills passed to safeguard our right to clean air and water, child care services, advance tenant’s rights, criminal justice, fair retirement for civil service workers and retiree benefits, and help veterans, and 9/11 recovery and healthcare workers. 

Jackson was also elected District Leader and helped found the new, progressive, grassroots Democratic Club, Uptown Community Democrats. Born and raised in Manhattan, Robert and his family have lived in Washington Heights since 1975. He attended New York City public schools and graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is married and a dedicated father of three daughters, and has run in at least three marathons and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with his wife.