While many people are certain that State Senator Byron Brown is going to be the next mayor of Buffalo,  "The Challenger," Buffalo’s largest circulation African American newspaper, featured a full color, almost poster-sized shot of Jackson on its May 11th cover, with the headline “Mayoral Spoiler or Man on a Mission?”

The article chronicles Jackon’s colorful  career, and alludes to the financial and grassroots support he is enjoying among people in the African- American community, as well as several influential people in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. It also quotes Jackson on his determination to run a issues- oriented campaign.

Jackson has secured two Buffalo campaign offices. One near downtown and another in the Bailey Kensington area.

Jackson told the Challenger he will officially announce his candidacy on May 14.

Asked whether he should be considered a “spoiler” since Brown enjoyed what some termed "front runner" status because he was the only African American in a mayoral race that is likely to see two or more European Americans (ie white) vying for votes, giving Brown the edge in "vote by your race" community. 

Tired of these old racial calculations,  Jackson argued in the Chalennger that Brown, along with the other candidates in the mayoral race, have not done much so far for the condition of the people of Buffalo.

“All the candidates who have announced so far are in the same political arena,” Jackson told the Challenger.

Jackson is hoping his fresh ideas and outsider status may appeal to some people in Buffalo who are tired of the failure driven system of government  presently being  delivered in Buffalo, a system which has led to a Control Board and widespread blight and poverty and city perceived to be in gross decline.

Will Jackson really have any impact on Brown’s African American support? That’s anybody’s guess.

If he can get beyond the "spoiler" status that makes people not willing to "waste" thier vote, if he can appear viable, then  he can attract voters who will be disaffected with the status qou of elected officals - even Brown. It will not be enough than that Brown is black, for every (or most) blacks to vote for him, if they beleive that Jackson has a chance. The fact that the Challenger asked the question on thier cover "Spoiler or Man on a Mission" shows that there is some possibility of his being taken seriously - at least by the local press..

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Jackson appears to have some funding and a platform. He may also have some support. He is well known is his community. Phone banks have already begun calling and polling throughout selected neighborhoods on the east side, according to one source involved with the Jackson campaign.

Jackson did well enough to warrant some hope that he could do well in September primary, especially in a five or six way race, according to our source.