The mayor of Mississippi’s capital city, Jackson, is currently embroiled in a legal battle to retain his position amid federal bribery and conspiracy charges. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is seeking a third term and faces state Senator John Horhn in a Democratic primary runoff scheduled for Tuesday. This is a familiar contest for Jackson voters, as Lumumba previously defeated Horhn in the 2017 Democratic primary with 55% of the vote.
However, in the recent primary held on April 1, Lumumba’s support significantly dwindled to 17%, while Horhn garnered 48% of the votes, just shy of the majority required to avoid a runoff. Horhn’s campaign has been bolstered by the endorsement of Mississippi U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, a key Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security.
The ongoing legal proceedings have cast a shadow over Lumumba’s campaign. Last November, he, along with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Council member Aaron B. Banks, was indicted on charges alleging they accepted payments, including $50,000 for the mayor’s reelection campaign, from individuals they believed to be real estate developers. These individuals were, in fact, undercover FBI agents. All three have entered not guilty pleas.
The looming legal issues have prompted calls for change, with Horhn emphasizing the need for new leadership, improved infrastructure, reduced crime, and increased opportunities. The outcome of the Tuesday runoff is expected to be decisive for the mayoral race, particularly given Jackson’s demographics. Over 80% of the city’s residents are Black, and approximately 25% live in poverty.
The general election is scheduled to take place on June 3, and the winner of the runoff is anticipated to have a strong chance of becoming the next mayor of Jackson.
