Jackson State University met the candidates at mayoral debate [GALLERY]

Alexandria Galtney
Managing Editor

On Friday, March 24, the students at Jackson State University and Jackson, Miss. residents listened to the ideas and plans of candidates hosted vying for mayor of the City of Jackson. The event was hosted by the Young Democrats Society.

Candidates in attendance included: Ronnie Crudup, Jr., Sidney Gladney, Robert Graham, John Horhn, Jessie Jones, Chokwe Lumumba, Brian Reynolds and Corinthian Sanders, the only libertarian running in this election.

Residents and students gathered in the Jacob E. Reddix Building General Purpose Room where students were introduced to the candidates and given the guidelines for the forum.

The students within the Young Democrats organization acted as moderators and introduced the questions and gave the candidates two minutes to respond. If the candidates did not make their final remarks in a timely fashion, the timekeeper called time and they had to immediately stop talking.

Questions were asked pertaining to budget and percentages, public works, Jackson revenue, the Jackson Zoo, City Loans and the one percent tax raise.

Some candidates captured the eyes of voters while others failed to understand the question.

Current mayor Tony Yarber was not in attendance at the mayoral debate but was scheduled to appear.

There were many confusing moments, uncertainties about candidate responses to questions and questionable outbursts but students and residents gained some information about those who are currently running.

“It was really great to see the candidates discuss their platforms and give residence and students solutions to the problems Jackson, Miss. has. I was also very pleased with the organization of the event and received comic relief from of the candidates,” said Jasmine McCloud, a senior mass communication major from Detroit, Mich.

Many students said that they are still unsure of who they were going to support going in and who will get their support throughout the elections.

“I think tonight’s event was great, I was very pleased with the turnout, the fact that they had to go get extra chairs even, not so much pleased with the student turnout but glad to see some students that were here. I think I saw a good number of 30 students that were here,” said Jauan Knight, a junior political science major from Jackson, Miss. “So I’m glad for the turnout. I think personally speaking as a student I didn’t know who I was going to support going in, so this has really clarified me who is going to get my support for the mayoral election and I hope that the students that were here and the citizens that were here feel the same way.”

Many candidates addressed the terrible infrastructure that is currently rendering the city from its evident need of growth.

Other candidates spoke on ways to promote growth within the city and were given “what if questions” so voters could identify the best candidates.

Candidates also discussed job for graduating college students and Jackson becoming more of an attraction.

Current members of the city council were also in attendance at the debate, including some of the current candidates running against current electors.

Jackson State students and Jackson, Miss. residents will vote in the mayoral elections on June 6.

Photos by William H. Kelly III