Mark Braboy
News Editor
In a close race among two of the 13 candidates, voters must once again head to the polls on April 22nd to decide who will lead the City of Jackson, Miss. Both Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Tony Yarber led all candidates with 31 percent of the votes.
Tevin Chapman, a senior accounting major from Hattiesburg, Miss. felt connected to Lumumba’s campaign.
“I voted for Chokwe. I felt that his campaign concentrated on the improvement of Jackson. He wants to continue his father’s legacy. I like that he’s trying to improve the infrastructure,” said Chapman,
Others students believed that Ward 6 Councilman, Tony Yarber is going to make a positive change to Jackson.
“I voted for Tony Yarber. I feel like he can bring a change to the city and I love his spirit and enthusiasm. He seems like he can do a lot for Jackson and I hope he wins the runoff,” said Reyana Stowes, a junior mass communications major from Vallejo, Calif.
Lumumba and Yarber both held an overwhelming lead against the other candidates with earning over 10,000 votes each. Melvin Priester Jr. garnered 15% of the votes while John Horhn and Harvey Johnson Jr. earned 5% and 4% of the votes respectively. Margaret Barrett-Simon earned 11% of the votes while Regina Quinn received 2% of them.
The runoff election to determine Jackson’s next mayor will be on April 22. If you are still trying to decide whom you will support, WAPT 16 news will hold a debate between the two candidates on April 16 at 7 p.m.
Alexis Anderson contributed to the story.
