DARRELL JACKSON

Darrell Jackson, a powerful Democratic political consultant, public relations executive, S.C. state Senator and Columbia pastor made the news in early 2007 when he agreed to endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race for president; But the well-connected Jackson later made news for what he did not reveal – that just days earlier he had reached an agreement to “advise” Clinton’s campaign -- for $210,000.
While confirming to a reporter that he was endorsing Clinton, Jackson never mentioned that his firm, Sunrise Enterprises, was being retained for $10,000 a month through the election.
The case raised eyebrows, with some observers suggesting Jackson was simply being paid to influence his constituents – and/or his congregation – to vote for Clinton. Jackson, who is black, denied the accusations, then played that time-honored card: The race card.
From The State newspaper:

Jackson defends his endorsement of Hillary Clinton
By AARON GOULD SHEININ
asheinin@thestate.com

Days before U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton makes her first visit to South Carolina as a presidential candidate, one of her top supporters here faces accusations that his support for her is tied to a contract his firm landed with Clinton’s campaign.
State Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, said such accusations are offensive and smack of racism.
When asked Tuesday by a reporter, Jackson said he was backing Clinton, D-N.Y. A day later, a national political Web site reported Jackson’s consulting firm, Sunrise Enterprises, had agreed to work for Clinton for $10,000 a month.
That story was picked up by The New York Post and on cable television. The Post story questioned whether “Jackson’s endorsement was bought by a higher bidder.”
That, Jackson said, was a low blow.
“I’m somewhat offended in the sense that ... the national media thinks that an African-American in my position cannot support a candidate without being paid off,” Jackson said. “Second, they seem to have a hard time believing that in South Carolina there could be a legitimate African-American public relations firm that’s not a hustler.”
The timing of how the situation has evolved is unfortunate, Jackson said. He had not expected to announce his endorsement of Clinton’s campaign but answered honestly when asked Tuesday. The next day, details of the work relationship were leaked to The National Journal’s Hotline, a widely read political Web site.
Jackson said his endorsement, and his company, were courted by almost all the Democratic candidates, including U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, an S.C. native whom Jackson backed — and worked for — in 2004.
He said some candidates offered more money than Clinton, others less, for his firm’s services.
Ultimately, he said, he decided to throw his personal support behind Clinton, a decision he said was independent of Sunrise’s relationship with the candidate.
“If there was no contract, I’d still endorse Clinton,” Jackson said. “This was having thought about the process, who is best able to lead and, quite honestly, which Democrat I think will be strongest come November. It’s not about the contract.”
Sunrise Enterprises, Jackson said, has been in business since 1986 and has seven employees with offices in the Vista and in Charleston. It does advertising, public relations and other consulting. Jackson said he hasn’t drawn a salary from the company for years, although the firm does lease a car for him to drive.
Jackson also is pastor of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, one of the state’s largest black congregations, boasting 9,000 members last year.
Jackson said he’s hardly alone when it comes to serving in the Legislature, backing a candidate and having a business that deals in politics simultaneously.
Former House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, R-Richland, operated his own political consulting firm while in the House and today is working for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s bid for the 2008 Republican nomination.
Current House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Charleston, also owns a public relations and consulting firm, Geechie Communications, and backs McCain, R-Ariz.
Jackson said no one questioned Merrill nor Quinn, so it’s unfair to criticize him alone.
Merrill said McCain’s campaign paid him about $10,000 for four or five months of work in late 2006. He endorsed McCain on Jan. 31.
“Any time you have a part-time legislature where people have to make their living elsewhere, you have the potential for perceived or actual conflicts of interest,” Merrill said, “particularly so when politics or advertising is part of your job. I try to be very cognizant of this.”
Jackson said Clinton’s campaign was making “a business deal” when it hired Sunrise Enterprises. “I’ve never had my integrity questioned,” he said.
Armstrong Williams, a conservative black commentator and brother of state Sen. Kent Williams, D-Marion, had scathing remarks Thursday for Jackson.
“That is scandalous,” Williams said on his radio talk show program. “It really is. You at least should support a candidate because of what you believe in. They’re not buying his services. They’re buying his influence.”