Richard Ernest Jackson Jr. (born July 18, 1945) is an American politician, civil servant, and educator from New York.

[2] Jackson began his career as a mathematics teacher at Peekskill 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.

[1] He continued to teach mathematics at Peekskill High School while serving in his part-time mayoral post.

[1] In 1995, then-Governor Pataki appointed Jackson to the post of New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.