Tito Jackson, a top political aide to Gov. Deval Patrick and Grove Hall native, said Monday he is running for former City Councillor Chuck Turner's District 7 seat.

Jackson finished fifth out of eight candidates in the 2009 City Council At-Large race, falling just short of grabbing one of the four At-Large seats on the City Council. Turner, who was booted from the council this month after he was convicted of accepting a $1,000 bribe, has said he is backing Jackson for the seat.

A preliminary election is set for Feb. 15. A winnowed field will be on the ballot for a final eelection on March 15.

District 7 includes Dorchester, Roxbury, Lower Roxbury, and parts of the Fenway, and the South End.

Jackson's campaign manager is Tomas Gonzalez, the former at-large candidate who recently consulted for Rep.-elect Carlos Henriquez's state House campaign.

Ben Herman, who worked on Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray's re-election campaign as deputy finance director, is Jackson's finance director.

Jackson confirmed that he will be depositing about $8,000 into his campaign account tomorrow.

Stephen Crawford, of Crawford Strategies, is handling press. Crawford also worked on Gov. Patrick's re-election campaign and Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating's Congressional campaign.

"Folks need jobs and economic development, they need quality education and we need to have a safe neighborhood to live in and put a stop to the type of violence that has been going on," Jackson told the Reporter.

Candidates who have already jumped into the race include perennial candidate Althea Garrison and Natalie Carithers, a former aide to state Rep. Willie Mae Allen (D-Mattapan).

Those weighing a run include Candace Sealey, a district liaison for U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano; Cornell Mills, son of former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson; and Hassan Williams, who ran and lost in a Democratic primary against state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz.

Full Jackson campaign press release below:

TITO JACKSON ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR BOSTON CITY COUNCIL
Seeks to promote unity, address neighborhood violence, and support economic development

BOSTON, MA - Tito Jackson today announced his candidacy for District 7 Boston City Council. A native Bostonian, Jackson is anxious to work with the community to promote initiatives that will benefit the residents of District 7, such as strategic economic investment and creating jobs for today and tomorrow.

Jackson is proposing an ambitious agenda, including:

A community-based economic recovery plan that develops working partnerships with local institutions and businesses to create much-needed jobs.

Investments in Boston’s public schools that promote student success and safety, particularly in light of the proposed school closings, and that will ensure that Boston’s students are prepared to compete in an increasingly-global economy.

Affordable housing and home loan opportunities such as those offered by MAHA (Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance) that will convert foreclosed properties into affordable housing; offering benefits to long-term, stable homeowners and tenants who have made an investment in the community.

Safer, more secure neighborhoods through partnerships between businesses and community members that will actively engage neighborhood residents and give them greater control over their neighborhood.

A former community organizer, Jackson believes that city government should be accessible to all Boston residents, and that local elected officials have an obligation to inform their constituencies as to how they can have meaningful input into the process.

"Everyday as I drive through this District, I see obstacles and opportunities everywhere," said Jackson. "My candidacy is about maximizing the opportunities and overcoming the obstacles. With your help and partnership we will move District 7 Forward."

Jackson brings experience and leadership to his initiatives. As a former, Industry Director in the Massachusetts Office of Business Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he delivered jobs and economic investment to Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. Combined with his passions for social justice and community development, he is uniquely qualified to become the next Boston city councillor representing District 7. Jackson most recently served as Political Director on Governor Deval Patrick's successful re-election campaign.