Alphonso Jackson, the federal housing chief who announced today he’s quitting, has deep roots in St. Louis politics, so much so that he briefly eyed the mayor’s office.

Jackson, 62, leaves the Department of Housing and Urban Development office amid mounting pressure from Congressional Democrats and an evolving ethics probe. According to the Associated Press, the FBI has been examining ties between Jackson and a friend who was paid over $392,000 by HUD for Hurricane Katrina recovery work.

Also being questioned is a lawsuit charing that Jackson sought to punish the Philadelphia housing authority for turning down a contract to another friend, a music producer.

In St. Louis, Jackson was deputy director of the Housing Authority and served as Public Safety Director under Mayor Jim Conway.

In 1984, Jackson launched a campaign for mayor - running as a Democrat. He quickly stepped aside, though, to back a rival, Freeman Bosley Sr. Jackson then filed to run for comptroller, but both he and Bosley lost to incumbents — Paul M. Berra and Vince Schoemehl respectively.

Jackson also taught and was an administrator at UMSL.

After leaving St. Louis, Jackson returned to his native Texas, where he developed a relationship with future governor and president George W. Bush.