A Savannah family dentist, Jackson was first elected to the State Senate in 2008 following 10 years of service in the House of Representatives. He was named Georgia's Freshman Legislator of the Year in 1999 by Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. He served as assistant house majority whip. The Georgia Dental Association honored him as the Legislator of the Year in 2000 and 2002, and he received the 2001 Distinguished Service Award from the National Dental Association. In 2000, Jackson was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Boston; and again a delegate in Denver in 2008. He was selected by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus as its Legislator of the Year in 2008 and 2010. He is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy Dental Society.
