Richard Ernest Jackson Jr. (born July 18, 1945) is an American politician, civil servant, and educator from New York. A Republican, Jackson has served as New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Mayor of Peekskill, New York, and as a member of the Peekskill City Council. He is the first African-American to serve as mayor of a city in the history of New York.

Early life

Jackson was born in Peekskill on July 18, 1945.

Career

Jackson began his career as a mathematics teacher at Peekskill High School. Jackson later taught calculus at Averill Park High School. A three-term Peekskill City Councilmember, Jackson was appointed Mayor of Peekskill in December 1984 by a unanimous vote of the City Council when the previous mayor, George Pataki, stepped down to serve in the New York State Assembly. Upon assuming office, he became the first African-American Mayor of Peekskill. According to The New York Times, Jackson was also the first African-American mayor of a city in the State of New York. A Republican, Jackson won a full term as mayor in 1985; he later won re-election to two successive terms with the largest pluralities in the city's 51-year history. He continued to teach mathematics at Peekskill High School while serving in his part-time mayoral post. Jackson stepped down on April 24, 1991. In 1995, then-Governor Pataki appointed Jackson to the post of New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Jackson served as Commissioner from 1995 to 2000.