UPTOWN — Former City Councilman Robert Jackson announced his candidacy Tuesday for the District 31 state Senate seat, after unsuccessfully vying for the office in 2014.
Jackson, who left the Council in 2013 after serving three terms, lost his first run for state Senate in 2014 to current Sen. Adriano Espaillat.
Espaillat is currently running for Rep. Charles Rangel’s seat in the 13th Congressional District.
“Two years ago, we came very close — in fact closer than any challenger to an incumbent senator,” Jackson said in a statement.
Jackson, who grew up in Northern Manhattan, said he’s launching his campaign now to get the fundraising started early.
Last year, Jackson re-entered the political scene as District Leader of the 71st Assembly District after beating out his former staffer, Juan Rosa.
In 2013, he launched a bid for Manhattan borough president but lost to then-Councilwoman Gale Brewer.