A busy field that aims to unseat current Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba just got busier – and became more experienced. Senator John Horhn, who ran for the office in 2017, announced his intention to run again in the 2025 mayoral election.
The announcement comes on the heels of a federal investigation that has already convicted one Jackson politician in former city councilwoman Angelique Lee. Rumors linger that more indictments could come in the capital city.
“We work so hard to try to put the good face on Jackson, and when issues like this come up, it just knocks us down,” Horhn, who has represented parts of Jackson as a state senator since 1994, told MidDays with Gerard Gibert in August. “It’s going to be tough for us to climb out of this hole that’s being dug for us. It’s really unfortunate. But I hope that folks will focus on the health of the city, the survival of the city, and the survival of its people.”
Horhn hopes to be the next mayor leading such a resurgence in Mississippi’s largest city. On Thursday, he became the fifth potential candidate to announce an intention to run in the 2025 race.
“To those who would want to count Jackson out: we say not so fast, because Jackson is ready,” Horhn said in a campaign launch ceremony on Thursday. “We have it in our DNA to turn things around. It’s in our blood. I’m reminded of the great leaders who have and are still paving the way, who refused to take “no” for an answer, who dared to hope, and wish, and dream for a better day.”
The incumbent, Lumumba, has also made it clear that he has his sights set on a third term as Jackson’s top elected official. However, many citizens in the capital city have been critical of crumbling infrastructure and rampant crime under the current mayor. Since first being elected in 2017, homicide rates have nearly tripled, though some improvement has been made under new police chief Joseph Wade.
Horhn noted that those two issues will be at the top of his priority list if elected.
“It’s horrible you don’t have security in parts of Jackson where you don’t feel comfortable staying in our house and you’re afraid to leave your house. It’s a tough situation,” Horhn said. “We have to get the criminal element under control. We’ve got the water on the way to being resolved, but these streets are horrible. That sales tax is not going to be enough to cover what we need to resolve the issues with our streets.”
The longtime senator, who was defeated by Lumumba in the 2017 mayoral primary, also pointed to the need to address education and job performance in the city.
“No more excuses,” Horhn concluded on Thursday. “We are ready. We deserve better. And together, we will turn things around in our capital city.”
Others who have announced intentions to challenge Lumumba include conservative radio personality Kim Wade, retired Air Force lieutenant Tim Henderson, former Edwards Mayor Marcus Wallace, and Department of Revenue employee Corinthian Sanders.
The qualifying period for next year’s municipal elections in Jackson opens on Jan. 2, when candidates can officially enter their names in the race.
