Tito Jackson (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tito Jackson
Jackson in 2012
Member of the Boston City Council from District 7
In office March 2011 – December 2017
Preceded by	Chuck Turner
Succeeded by	Kim Janey
Personal details
Born	(1975-04-11) April 11, 1975 (age 50) South End, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts
Alma mater	University of New Hampshire (BA)
Occupation	Politician

Tito Jackson (born April 11, 1975) is an American politician. He was a member of the Boston City Council, representing District 7. This district includes parts of Roxbury, Dorchester, South End, and Fenway neighborhoods in Boston. In 2017, he ran for mayor of Boston but did not win. In 2022, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu chose Jackson to join the city's Commission on Black Men and Boys. Many people see Jackson as a "progressive" politician. This means he supports ideas that aim to improve society and help people, often through government action.

Early Life and Education

Tito Jackson was adopted by Rosa and Herb Jackson. He grew up in the Grove Hall area of Roxbury. His father was a community activist, working to make his neighborhood better. His mother ran a day care from their home.

Jackson went to Brookline High School. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of New Hampshire. In 2018, he met his biological mother. She is featured in the book Common Ground by J. Anthony Lukas. This book won a Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and talks about the busing crisis in Boston.

Early Career

From 2004 to 2006, Jackson worked for a company called Alpharma. He helped market their medicines.

In 2007, Jackson worked for Governor Deval Patrick. He was the industry director for information technology. This role was part of the Governor's office that focused on housing and economic growth. Later, Jackson became the political director for Governor Patrick's successful re-election campaign in 2010.

Boston City Council

Tito Jackson served on the Boston City Council from 2011 to 2018.

Committee Work

While on the council, Jackson led important committees. He was the chair of the Committee on Education. He also chaired the Special Committee on the Status of Black and Latino Men and Boys. He was the vice chair of the Committee on Healthy Women, Families and Communities. He also worked on six other committees. These included committees for City Services, Homelessness, Housing, Jobs, and Public Safety.

First Campaign in 2009

Jackson first tried to join the Boston City Council in 2009. He ran as an "at-large" candidate. This means he was running for a seat that represents the whole city, not just one district. He did not win this election.

Winning in 2011

Jackson ran again in a special election in 2011. This election was for the District 7 seat. He won the primary election, coming in first among seven candidates. In the main election, he won against Cornell Mills. Jackson received 82 percent of the votes, while Mills received 16 percent.

Re-election and Redistricting

Jackson at the Maura Hennigan 2012 Boston Caribbean Carnival parade, with Ayanna Pressley, Elizabeth Warren, and Maura Hennigan

Jackson was re-elected to a full term on the City Council in late 2011.

In 2012, the City Council had to redraw the district maps. This process is called "redistricting." Mayor Thomas Menino did not approve the first two maps the council proposed. Jackson then created his own map proposal. The City Council approved Jackson's map, and Mayor Menino also agreed to it.

Trying for Council President

After being re-elected in 2013, Jackson wanted to become the president of the City Council. This is a leadership role within the council. He tried to get other council members to support him. However, another councilor, Bill Linehan, received more votes and became the council president.

Commission for Black Men and Boys

Jackson and fellow city councilor Ayanna Pressley (far right) attending Jamaica Plain Porchfest in 2015

In 2014, Jackson proposed creating a special group to help Black men and boys in Boston. The City Council approved his idea. However, Mayor Marty Walsh did not sign it into law. He felt it would repeat efforts his office was already doing. A similar group was finally created in 2021. The acting mayor, Kim Janey, signed it into law.

Olympic Bid Questions

In 2015, Boston was trying to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. Jackson asked tough questions to the group behind Boston's bid. He wanted them to release all the details of their plan. After Boston's Olympic bid failed, a group called No Boston Olympics praised Jackson. They said he showed leadership by asking important questions.

Other Work

Jackson also worked with Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. In 2015, they held a City Council meeting inside a prison. This was the first time the Boston City Council had ever held a meeting in a prison. The meeting focused on finding ways to help people stay out of prison after they are released.

Re-election and Question 2

Jackson was re-elected to the City Council again in 2015.

In 2016, Jackson strongly opposed "Question 2" in Massachusetts. This was a vote that would have allowed more "charter schools" to open. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently. The City Council voted to oppose this measure, following a proposal by Jackson and Matt O'Malley.

2017 Mayoral Campaign

Mayoral campaign logo

Jackson in 2017

In January 2017, Tito Jackson announced he would run for Mayor of Boston. He ran against the current mayor, Marty Walsh. Jackson presented himself as the "progressive" candidate. He focused on issues like how much money people earn and the cost of housing.

In the first round of voting on September 26, 2017, Jackson received 29 percent of the votes. Mayor Walsh received 63 percent. Both moved on to the final election on November 7, 2017. Jackson focused on winning the votes of Black residents in the city.

In the final election, Jackson lost to Mayor Walsh. Jackson received 34 percent of the votes, while Walsh received 65 percent.

After the City Council

Jackson at a 2020 George Floyd protest in Franklin Park

In March 2020, Jackson tested positive for COVID-19. This was early in the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

In the 2021 Boston mayoral election, Jackson supported Kim Janey in the first round of voting. After she did not win, he supported Michelle Wu, who went on to win the election.

In March 2022, Jackson was nominated to serve on the new Boston Commission on Black Men and Boys. Mayor Wu chose him to be one of the members of this commission in May 2022.

In October 2022, Jackson spoke to the Boston City Council. He supported a plan to increase the pay for city councilors. He said that after he was first elected, he almost lost his home. The council approved the pay raise, but Mayor Wu did not agree to it. She supported a smaller pay increase.

Electoral History

City Council

2011 Boston City Council district 7 election
Candidates	Preliminary Election		General Election
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Tito Jackson (incumbent)	1,876	76.07	4,818	84.35
Sheneal Parker	273	11.07	799	13.99
Althea Garrison	216	8.76	47	0.82
Roy Owens	85	3.45
all others	16	0.65	48	0.84
Total	2,466	100	5,712	100

write-in votes

2015 Boston City Council district 7 election
Candidates	Preliminary Election		General Election
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Tito Jackson (incumbent)	1,409	66.40	2,983	66.64
Charles L. Clemons Jr.	381	17.95	1,444	32.26
Haywood Fennell Sr.	104	4.90	16	0.36
Althea Garrison	98	4.62	0	0.00
Roy Owens	74	3.49
Kevin A. Dwire	34	1.60
all others	22	1.04	33	0.74
Total	2,122	100	4,476	100

write-in votes

Mayor