Elected to the Texas Senate in 1998, Mike Jackson represents Senate District 11, which includes portions of Harris, Brazoria and Galveston Counties. He chairs the Senate Nominations Committee and is a member of the Senate State Affairs, Government Organization and Natural Resources Committees and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources. Jackson is also a five-term veteran from House District 129.
Senator Jackson's most recent honors include the Texas Manufactured Housing Association's "Texas Affordable Housing Leadership Award;" the Texas Chemical Council "Legislative Leadership Award;" a Texas Association of Business "Champion for Free Enterprise" award; and an appointment by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick to represent Texas on the Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Commission. The lieutenant governor has further entrusted Senator Jackson with a position on the Senate Select Committee on Economic Development, an interim committee charged with studying best practices for maintaining a healthy economic climate in Texas.
In October 2007, Jackson received the "Coastal Stewardship Award" from the General Land Office and the American Shore and Coastal Preservation Association in recognition of his beach conservation efforts. Senator Jackson was honored for his efforts to secure funding for an important beach restoration project benefiting Senate District 11 and particularly the tourism industry of Galveston Island.
Senator Jackson was also recently declared a "Champion of Texas' Economy" by the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. The group touted the senator's "consistent support for free markets throughout his service in the Texas Legislature, notably highlighted by his principled vote against the Gross Margins Tax."
Prior to the most recent legislative session, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst appointed Jackson co-Chairman of a special Joint Select Committee on Windstorm Coverage and Budgetary Impact. The committee held hearings throughout the coastal region to gather information on reformation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
Jackson was named a 2005 "Fighter for Free Enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business and received the Turf Irrigators Association, "Legislator of the Year 2003 Award." Also from the Texas Association of Business, he received an award for "maintaining a stellar pro-business, pro-Texas voting record during the 78th Legislative Session."
In 2004, Dewhurst also appointed Senator Jackson to the Property and Casualty Insurance Legislative Oversight Committee due to his extensive work on homeowners and auto insurance reform. During both the 78th and 79th Sessions he authored legislation that has helped provide affordable insurance for the people of Texas, while fostering a competitive environment and providing consumer choice.
Senator Jackson is a 1997 and 1999 recipient of the “Leaders of Excellence” award, presented by the Free Market Political Action Committee. In 1999 the same organization awarded him the "Texas Ten Award," for scoring in the top ten percent of the most conservative state senators in Texas during the 76th Legislative Session. Also in 1999 he was awarded the Eagle Forum "Freedom and Family Award" in recognition of his conservative voting record.
First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1988, Jackson is a five-term veteran from House District 129. During his tenure in the house, he served as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation and as a member of the House Committees on Land and Resource Management, Energy Resources, Business and Industry, Liquor Regulation, and Historical and Cultural Resources.
Mike is the president of Force Corporation, his family’s La Porte-based industrial construction and maintenance company, and is a 30-year veteran of the construction industry. He and his wife Vickie reside in Shoreacres and have two children, Vic and Michelle. They are members of La Porte United Methodist Church.