Aaron Walker
MC301/Staff
It is election season in Jackson, Miss. and many candidates have dropped their names in the mayoral race to become the next leader of the City of Jackson.
An astonishing 16 candidates have submitted the paperwork to run for the mayoral position; all believing they have what it takes to improve the current failing infrastructure.
Some of the perceived top front runners are incumbent Mayor Tony Yarber, Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham, Sen. John Horhn, and attorney Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who lost to Yarber in a runoff in the 2014 special election after the death of his father, former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba on February 25, 2014.
One of the big issues on voters’ minds this election season is the failing infrastructure in the city of Jackson, and many voters are looking to see what type of plan the candidates are able to put in place to help Jackson move forward.
Jackson State University students, many of whom have been affected by the failing infrastructure with water problems on campus and pothole issues, are very interested in who will lead the city.
La’Curtis Powell, a sophomore criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss., who is also a candidate for Ward 6 City Council, believes many of the candidate’s running have good intentions.
“I feel like we have good-hearted candidates who truly want to help the city with better job opportunities, infrastructure, and better education, but I feel as though they should have a well developed plan,” said Powell. “Also, I feel as though they are only stating the obvious, but it’s no real plan behind it. So I give credit to the candidates and a lot of respect for even running for the position, because this job won’t be easy.”
Others feel that some candidate’s running for mayor have more experience than others.
Ray Mikell, a political science professor at Jackson State, believes experience could determine who wins the election.
“I can say that, besides Yarber, Graham and Horhn are the most experienced candidates for the office. Neither is as skilled in the oratory department, nor as energetic, as Lumumba. He, however, has no substantial experience in local government, nor has he spent years inside the world of Jackson politics,” said Mikell. “You may choose to see that as a plus or a minus, but experience in government and being an insider can be an asset, as voters are sometimes reminded when outsiders take the reins. As for Yarber, he is probably fortunate to not have stronger competition.”
Some students feel that choosing the right leader is very important because of the current condition of the city.
“This election is critical in my opinion, because of Jackson’s current state, but I honestly hope Jackson votes for the candidate who will benefit Jackson and allow the necessary changes to happen,” said Chris Oliphant, a junior entrepreneurship major from Jackson, Miss, who is also running for Ward 5 City Council.
Jackson citizens will head to the polls and vote in the mayoral primary election on May 2, with any necessary runoff’s being held on May 16. The general election is set for June 6.
See the list of City of Jackson Mayoral candidates below:
1. Incumbent Tony Yarber – He is the incumbent mayor, a pastor and former educator.
2. Ronnie Crudup, Jr. – He is the son of Bishop Ronnie Crudup, Sr. of New Horizon Church International.
3. Robert Graham – He currently serves on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for District 1.
4. John Horhn – He is a current state senator who represents Hinds and Madison counties in District 26.
5. Sidney Gladney – He is retired. He worked as a Code Enforcement Supervisor in the Community improvement Division for the City of Jackson.
6. Chokwe Antar Lumumba – He is an attorney that has been practicing law since 2008. He is the son of the late Choke Lumumba, who is the former Mayor of Jackson.
7. Jaclyn Mask – She is a real-estate agent in the Metro area.
8. Corinthian Sanders – He is a college student and social entrepreneur from West Jackson.
9. Kenneth Swarts – He is a Pizza Hut delivery driver.
10. Jason Wells – He currently works for the City of Jackson as a Jackson Police Department security guard.
11. Gwendolyn Ward Osborne Chapman – She currently works as a substitute teacher.
12. Monroe Jackson – He is a business owner of 21 years and owns Monroe’s Donuts.
13. Jessie Jones – He currently works as a general contractor and owns Jones Construction.
14. Antrione Evans – no employment information found
15. Brian Reynolds – no employment information found
16. Walter Slone, Sr. – He currently runs a barbershop out of his home and served in the Army.
