Jeff Jackson (politician)

Marisa Bell

​

(m. 2013)​

Jeff Jackson
Official portrait, 2022
52nd Attorney General of North Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2025
Children	3
Education	Emory University (BA, MA) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JD)
Website	Government website
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army United States Army Reserve North Carolina Army National Guard
Years of service	2002–present
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan

Jeffrey Neale Jackson (born September 12, 1982) is an American politician, attorney, and military officer who has served as the 52nd attorney general of North Carolina since 2025. ^[1] A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 14th congressional district from 2023 to 2024 and represented the 37th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2014 to 2022.

After graduating from law school, Jackson worked as an assistant district attorney in Gaston County. He was counsel at Womble Bond Dickinson. In 2002, Jackson commissioned in the United States Army Reserve and served in the Kandahar Province during the War in Afghanistan. He now serves in the Judge Advocate General's Corps with the Army National Guard. ^[2] In October 2023, he announced his candidacy for North Carolina attorney general after the North Carolina Legislature redrew the state's congressional districts. ^[3] He was elected as the attorney general of North Carolina in November 2024.

Early life and education

Jackson was born in Miami, Florida, on September 12, 1982, and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. ^{[4] [5] [6]} His father, Nathan Jackson, is a doctor, and his mother is a nurse. ^{[7] [8]} Jackson earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in philosophy from Emory University. He also earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. ^[9]

Jackson enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 2002 while he was junior at Emory. Mobilized to active duty as a corporal (E-4), he forward deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to a psychological operations unit. ^[7] He worked as a business litigator at Womble Bond Dickinson in Charlotte. ^[10] Commissioned as an officer after he graduated from college and entered law school, Jackson continues to serve in the North Carolina Army National Guard as a major in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Before joining the North Carolina Senate, Jackson worked as a prosecutor in Gaston County, North Carolina. He resigned upon joining the Senate, as the state constitution prohibits serving as an elected official and a prosecutor simultaneously. ^[14]

North Carolina Senate

Jackson's state senatorial portrait

When Senator Dan Clodfelter resigned to become mayor of Charlotte in 2014, his State Senate seat had to be filled by local Democratic precinct members. Jackson and three other candidates sought the office. Of 49 votes, Jackson received 25, winning by one vote. Jackson was also chosen to replace Clodfelter as the Democratic nominee in the November 2014 general election. Because no one else filed to run against Clodfelter, Jackson ran unopposed for a full two-year term. ^[15] He was reelected to a second full term in 2016 with 68% of the vote against Bob Diamond. ^[16]

Jackson gained national attention when he was the only legislator to show up for work on a snow day in February 2015. ^[17]

He supports significantly expanding pre-K education programs. ^[18] In 2017, Jackson introduced a bill to repeal the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, also known as HB2. ^[19]

Under previous North Carolina law, women could not legally revoke their consent to engage in sexual intercourse once that act has consensually begun, meaning that, according to Jackson, North Carolina was "the only state in the country where no doesn't really mean no". ^[20] After several years of introducing a bill to close the consent loophole, it passed unanimously in 2019. ^{[21] [22]}

Jackson faced his first competitive race in 2020. ^[23] His district had been significantly redrawn and was now a D+2 district, in which a Democratic candidate would be expected to win by two points. ^[23] Jackson was called up for National Guard duty during the final weeks of his campaign, so his wife, Marisa, became the face of the campaign for the closing weeks. ^[24] Jackson won the election with 55% of the vote. ^[25]

2022 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2022 United States Senate election in North Carolina

Various news outlets mentioned Jackson as a potential candidate against Republican incumbent Richard Burr in North Carolina's 2016 U.S. Senate election. Jackson declined to run and Burr was reelected. ^{[26] [27]} He was also mentioned as a potential challenger to North Carolina's other U.S. senator, Thom Tillis, in 2020.

On January 26, 2021, Jackson announced he would run to replace Burr, who was retiring, in North Carolina's 2022 United States Senate election. ^[28] He announced that he would run a "100-county campaign", visiting all of North Carolina's 100 counties. ^[29] His campaign raised over $500,000 within 48 hours of his announcement. ^[30] Jackson raised more than $900,000 in the third quarter of 2021, and in total more than $3 million from the time he announced his candidacy in January 2021. ^[31] On December 16, 2021, Jackson announced that he would suspend his campaign and endorsed Cheri Beasley. ^[32]

U.S. House of Representatives

2022 election

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina § District 14

Following redistricting, Jackson announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the state's new 14th congressional district on February 25, 2022. The district includes most of the southern half of Mecklenburg County, as well as eastern Gaston County. ^[33] Jackson won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Pat Harrigan by a vote of 148,738 (58%) to 109,014 (42%). ^[34]

Tenure

During both the electoral process and his tenure as a congressman, Jackson has used his TikTok and other social media accounts to keep the public updated about policy issues and the functioning of the United States Congress. His first video to garner national attention was an account of the January 2023 speaker of the United States House of Representatives election. He created a video detailing the national response to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, assuring his viewers that depositors at the bank would be reimbursed without relying on taxpayer funds. He has also spoken against outrage journalism, drawing from his experiences with politicians who employ "fake anger" and how the news media employs it to attract audiences. ^{[35] [36] [37]}

In March 2024, Jackson voted in favor of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, coming as a shock to many TikTok users as he regularly used the app. ^{[38] [39]} Shortly thereafter, he posted a video on the platform explaining his rationale for supporting the bill, ^[40] emphasizing his belief that TikTok was not going to be banned and suggesting instead that it would likely be sold and continue operating. His objection with the platform, as he explained, had to do with China's national security laws. ^{[41] [42]} As a result, Jackson faced significant criticism from TikTok creators and users who felt betrayed and viewed his vote as hypocritical, ^{[42] [43] [44]} losing around 200,000 followers on the platform. ^{[41] [43]} Jackson later deleted his video discussing the bill and released an apology video to his followers, which was met with unacceptance. ^{[43] [44]}

On December 31, 2024, Jackson resigned early from Congress to assume the role of North Carolina attorney general on January 1, 2025. ^[45]

Committee memberships

Jackson served on the United States House Committee on Armed Services and the United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. ^{[46] [47]} In the Armed Services committee, he served on the subcommittees for Intelligence and Special Operations ^[48] and Tactical Air and Land Forces. ^[49] In the Science, Space, and Technology committee, he served on the subcommittees for Space and Aeronautics ^[50] and Investigations and Oversight. ^[51]

Caucus memberships

• New Democrat Coalition ^[52]
• The Equality Caucus ^[53]

North Carolina Attorney General

Elections

2024

Main article: 2024 North Carolina Attorney General election

The Republican-controlled state legislature approved new district maps that placed Jackson's home in Charlotte in a new, heavily Republican 14th district stretching from south Charlotte to the Foothills. In response, Jackson announced he would run for state attorney general. ^[54] The seat became open when incumbent Josh Stein announced that he would run for governor in 2024. ^[55] He won the Democratic primary on March 5, 2024. He faced Republican Dan Bishop in the November election; Jackson won the election by vote of 2,873,945 (51%) to 2,715,059 (49%). ^[56]

Personal life

Jackson is married to Marisa Jackson and lives in Charlotte. He has two sons and a daughter, including his stepson from Marisa's previous relationship. ^[57] In 2020, Jackson was named one of Charlotte Magazine 's Charlotteans of the Year. ^[58]

Electoral history

2024 North Carolina Attorney General election ^[59]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jeff Jackson	2,874,960	51.4
	Republican	Dan Bishop	2,715,411	48.5

U.S. House

2022 North Carolina's 14th congressional district general election ^[60]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jeff Jackson	148,738	57.7
	Republican	Pat Harrigan	109,014	42.3

References

1. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
2. Dunn, Andrew. "Jeff Jackson is the N.C. politician most likely to become president". Longleaf Politics. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
3. Fernandez, Madison (October 26, 2023). "Jeff Jackson running for N.C. attorney general after being gerrymandered out of House seat". POLITICO. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
4. "JACKSON, Jeff". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved March 14, 2023.
5. Graff, Michael (January 26, 2021). "Exclusive: How Charlotte's favorite millennial politician dad decided to run for Senate". Charlotte Axios . Retrieved April 2, 2021. He was in college on 9/11, one day shy of 19 years old.
6. Bowler, Taylor (October 1, 2020). "Parent to Know: N.C. Sen. Jeff Jackson". Charlotte Parent. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
7. "E-mails home from Afghanistan". Emory Magazine. 2006. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
8. Kruse, Jeff (October 29, 2021). "One of These People Is the Future of the Democratic South". Politico. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
9. DePriest, Joe (May 3, 2014). "Democrats elect Jeff Jackson to replace former state Sen. Clodfelter". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
10. "Jeff Jackson". wcsr.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
11. Sen, Ari (August 5, 2017). "Mumpower, Jackson debate state education funding". Citizen-Times. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
12. Steve, Harrison (January 26, 2021). "Mecklenburg State Sen. Jeff Jackson Is Running for U.S. Senate in 2022". WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
13. "Getting to know Jeff Jackson: Running for N.C. Attorney General". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
14. Morrill, Jim (June 9, 2014). "After winning N.C. Senate seat, he loses day job". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
15. Profile (2), CharlotteObserver.com, May 3, 2014.
16. "North Carolina 37th District State Senate Results: Jeff Jackson Wins" . Retrieved May 31, 2017.
17. "One way to spend a snow day: Pass all the laws you want". newsobserver. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
18. Park, Jackie (July 13, 2015). "Sen. Jeff Jackson is an Army captain, attorney, dad and social media sensation". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
19. Rose, Alex (February 1, 2017). "3 Democratic senators file bill for 'full, clean' repeal of House Bill 2". Fox 8. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
20. "This loophole fails to protect some rape victims in North Carolina". NBC News. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
21. ""It's disgusting": Loopholes remain in North Carolina's sexual assault laws". NBC News. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
22. Padilla, Mariel (November 2, 2019). "North Carolina Lawmakers Pass Bill to Close Sexual Assault Loopholes (Published 2019)". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
23. "He cruised to 3 easy victories. Now Sen. Jeff Jackson faces the fight of his political life". www.charlotteobserver.com. October 22, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
24. "Sen. Jackson leaving for training, turning campaign operations to wife". WBTV . October 25, 2020.
25. "NC SBE Election Contest Details". er.ncsbe.gov.
26. Cahn, Emily (March 13, 2015). "Democrats Prep North Carolina Contingency Plan". Roll Call. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
27. Schoof, Renee (May 29, 2015). "Wanted: Democrat to seek N.C. Senate seat; faint of heart need not apply". McClatchy DC. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
28. Harrison, Steve (January 26, 2021). "Mecklenburg State Sen. Jeff Jackson Is Running for U.S. Senate in 2022". WFAE. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
29. Murphy, Brian. "Charlotte Democrat Jeff Jackson to jump into U.S. Senate race". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
30. Joe Bruno [@JoeBrunoWSOC9] (January 28, 2021). "State Senator Jeff Jackson's campaign says he has raised more than $500,000 in less than 48 hours. Per the campaign: 90% of donations from North Carolinians, 78% of contributions under $100 and no contributions from PACs or self funding #ncsen #ncpol @wsoctv" (Tweet). Retrieved April 3, 2021– via Twitter.
31. Wright, Will (October 7, 2021). "In NC race for Senate, one Democrat had a winning quarter". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved October 15, 2021.
32. "State Senator Jeff Jackson ends bid for U.S. Senate". WITN-TV . December 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
33. "Jeff Jackson is running for the new 14th congressional district seat - Axios Charlotte". February 25, 2022.
34. "Democrat Jeff Jackson wins 14th Congressional District seat". WFAE . November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
35. Rodríguez, Jesus. "The most-followed U.S. congressman on TikTok is doing a delicate dance". Washington Post. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
36. Hiti, Joe. "Freshman Congressman says his colleagues are 'perpetually outraged' and 'faking it' for TV".
37. "N.C. lawmaker goes viral in TikTok videos". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
38. Stanton, Andrew; Rouhandeh, Alex J. (March 13, 2024). "One of Congress' most popular TikTok stars voted for bill that may ban app". Newsweek. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
39. Vitali, Ali; Richards, Zoë; Santaliz, Kate (March 23, 2023). "TikTok's most popular House lawmaker talks security, potential ban". NBC News. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
40. Battaglia, Danielle; Coin, Julia (March 20, 2024). "NC's Rep. Jeff Jackson apologizes for TikTok video — but not for his vote to force sale". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
41. "US Rep. Jeff Jackson 'Canceled' After Gaining 2.5 Million TikTok Followers And Winning Democratic Primary Then Voting To Ban Platform". Yahoo Finance. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
42. Valle, Gaby Del (March 15, 2024). "TikTok-famous politician's vote to ban infuriates 2.5 million followers". The Verge . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
43. Mendez, Moises (March 18, 2024). "Rep. Jeff Jackson Loses Followers After TikTok Ban Vote". Time . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
44. Dodgson, Lindsay (March 19, 2024). "TikTokers feel betrayed by their favorite congressman voting to ban the app — and aren't letting him off with an apology". Business Insider . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
45. "Jeff Jackson resigns from Congress ahead of being sworn in as NC Attorney General". WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source. December 31, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
46. "House Armed Services Committee - Democrats". House Armed Services Committee - Democrats. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
47. "Committee Members". House Committee on Science Space & Tech - Republicans. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
48. "Intelligence and Special Operations (118th Congress)". Armed Services Republicans. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
49. "Tactical Air and Land Forces (118th Congress)". Armed Services Republicans. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
50. "Space and Aeronautics". House Committee on Science Space & Tech - Republicans. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
51. "Investigations and Oversight". House Committee on Science Space & Tech - Republicans. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
52. "Endorsed Candidates". NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
53. "Members". LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
54. Doran, Will (October 26, 2023). "Jeff Jackson, NC congressman drawn out of his seat, will run for NC attorney general 'to fight political corruption'". WRAL-TV.
55. Schneider, Elena (January 18, 2023). "North Carolina AG Josh Stein launches bid for governor". Politico . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
56. "North Carolina Attorney General Election 2024 Live Results". NBC News . November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
57. "About". Congressman Jeff Jackson. January 3, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
58. "2020 Charlottean of the Year: N.C. Sen. Jeff Jackson". November 17, 2020.
59. "11/05/2024 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections .
60. "Election Results" (PDF). North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE). Retrieved November 29, 2022.

External links

• Congressman Jeff Jackson official U.S. House website
• Jeff Jackson for Attorney General campaign website
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
New constituency	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 14th congressional district 2023–2024	Succeeded by Tim Moore
Party political offices
Preceded by Josh Stein	Democratic nominee for Attorney General of North Carolina 2024	Most recent
Legal offices
Preceded by Josh Stein	Attorney General of North Carolina 2025–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Madison Cawthorn as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Wiley Nickel as Former US Representative