By: Josh Margolin and Claire Heininger

TRENTON, N.J. A politically connected New Jersey pastor received almost $90,000 in donations last year from incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, who is running for re-election.

The Rev. Reginald Jackson, who last week announced he was throwing his coveted support to Corzine, received $87,000 in donations from the multimillionaire governor last year, Jackson confirmed.

Head of the influential Black Ministers Council, Jackson is a key player in state politics. His endorsement—which has gone to both Democrats and Republicans over the years—is highly sought.

According to Corzine’s 2008 tax returns, the governor made a $50,000 donation to Jackson’s congregation, St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange, N.J. Corzine gave another $37,000 to St. Matthew from his philanthropic foundation, Jackson said. He explained the smaller sum was contributed early in 2008 and the $50,000 was donated in July last year, shortly after the governor began raising money for his re-election campaign.

The contributions were the latest in a series of high-priced offerings Corzine has made to Jackson in the decade since the governor left Wall Street. They came to light after Corzine gave The Star-Ledger access to review his 2008 tax return, filed last week.

Jackson said his endorsement of Corzine had nothing to do with the governor’s generosity.

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