This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 16, 2010 - Former state Rep. Jack Jackson, R-Wildwood and now a candidate for the state Senate, is seeking to distinguish himself from his potential Republican opponents in the 26th District by issuing what he calls "a morals and ethics conduct pledge."
Jackson said in a statement issued late Tuesday that his pledge entails a promise to hold himself "to the highest possible levels of moral and ethical integrity."
Jackson maintains that such a commitment is important for candidates to demonstrate "they can fully concentrate on the economy and jobs instead of defending behavior."
"At a time when our elected officials need to focus on reviving our economy and helping get people back to work, the last thing we need is another politician brought down by moral and ethical failure," Jackson said, without mentioning any names.
"If we can’t trust our leaders to be decent and honorable people, then we can’t rely on them to work as hard as possible to help bring back jobs and prosperity. I believe there is a direct relationship between poor behavior of our leaders and the ability to create conditions that will nurture financial stability and growth for our communities. Just ask any political figure whose been disgraced by loose morals and questionable ethics just how effective they’ve become at attracting jobs."
Jackson's pledge might well be aimed at former state House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, who has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on a woman during a sexual encounter.
Jetton, until recently a political consultant, isn't running in the 26th. But one of his former clients is: state Rep. Brian Nieves, R-Washington.
Nieves already has drawn the ire of the 26th District's outgoing senator, fellow Republican John Griesheimer, who publicly has contended that Nieves is focusing too much on what happens in Washington D.C., rather than Jefferson City. (Nieves has discounted the criticism.) Also seeking the Senate seat is former state Rep. Charles Portwood, R-Ballwin.
So far, Jackson has the strongest financial edge, with his latest campaign report showing him with $112,553.89 in the bank, compared to $41,928.91 for Nieves. Portwood filed a limited-activity statement, which means he raised and spent no more than $500 during the quarter.
