After he left City Hall, his endorsement still brought out the troops. During Young's 1981 run for mayor, Jackson worried about the impact a business community solidly behind Young's white opponent, Sidney Marcus, would have, says Rick Allen, author of Atlanta Rising . Jackson had become Atlanta's kingmaker. Still, the organization was less a machine than a collective of individuals with specific talents and similar interests. The group saw its first major split during the 1986 congressional campaign that pitted John Lewis against Julian Bond.
Old friends wound up competitors.
Other cracks emerged later. Lomax, by then Fulton County Commission chairman, would run against Jackson in 1989, and then against Campbell. Jackson's endorsement still meant plenty of hardcore organizers, like Harris, would line up behind Campbell in 1993. The Franklins, though divorced by then, both supported then-councilwoman Myrtle Davis in 1993. Young gave his endorsement to Lomax.