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A packed audience of college students, faculty, staff and community members gathered last week in the Jacob L. Reddix Hall on JSU’s main campus to hear eight mayoral candidates for the City of Jackson delver ideas on how to improve living conditions for residents.
“Jackson, Mississippi, is problem-rich and resource-poor,” mayoral candidate John Horhn proclaimed at Jackson State’s Mayoral Forum led by JSU’s Class of 2018 and the Young Democrats of Mississippi.
Crumbling infrastructure, dwindling budget, the future of the Jackson Zoo and a failing education system were all hot-button topics discussed during Friday night’s forum.
The event brought together students, in particular, to listen to hopefuls discuss issues that could affect JSU and the surrounding community.
Sixteen candidates have placed their feet in the race for mayor. Of those vying, only eight attended:
- Ronnie Crudup Jr., Democrat
- Sidney H. Gladney, Democrat
- Robert Graham, Democrat
- Jessie Jones, Democrat
- John Horhn, Democrat
- Chokwe A. Lumumba, Democrat
- Bryan Reynolds, Democrat
- Corinthian Sanders, Libertarian
Incumbent Mayor Tony Yarber, a Democrat, was a no-show.
Jauan D. Knight (a junior political science major); Faith Ambrose (a junior political science major); and Dr. Bryon Orey (a JSU professor of political science) were on the panel asking questions of each candidate.
Echoing sentiments of his opponents, Graham, said, “The city of Jackson is crumbling to pieces. Infrastructure is not just a pothole problem, it’s an economic development issue.”
All candidates agreed that infrastructure in Jackson is a problem, but neither of the candidates could agree on solutions.
Corinthian Sanders, the only Libertarian in the race, said he believes solutions for Jackson do not lie within the government but through contractual agreements with local companies.
“I am not at all for the government fixing anything. They are the ones who got us in this predicament in the first place.”
Lumumba said, “I’m running because it is necessary, necessary to have leadership that represents the people.”
Jackson residents will ultimately decide on May 2 who they believe will lead them into a brighter future.