John S. Jackson is an emeritus professor of Political Science at SIUC and is currently a visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute (PSPPI). He held a number of administrative positions at SIUC including Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, and Interim Chancellor, before his retirement. Jackson has published extensively in academic journals in political science as well as in a variety of other outlets and has published three prior books on presidential elections. He originated and is the editor of the Simon Review papers—published by the PSPPI—and was a long-time friend and supporter of Paul Simon.