Jackson, Mississippi, is gearing up for its primary election on April 1, with nearly two dozen candidates vying for the mayor position. However, incumbent Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba faces a unique challenge as he prepares to run for re-election while facing federal bribery charges.
Lumumba was arrested and charged in November 2024 alongside co-defendants Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson’s Ward 6 City Councilman Aaron Banks. The three men allegedly accepted bribes, but Lumumba pleaded not guilty.
The trial has been delayed as attorneys for the defendants review evidence, including hundreds of hours of recordings and documents. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his case, Lumumba remains a strong contender in the election.
Among the candidates challenging Lumumba are Mississippi Sen. John Horhn, who lost to Lumumba in 2017, and several Democrats, including Tim Henderson and Keyshia E. Sanders. An independent candidate, Kim Wade, is also running. The Republican Party has nominated Wilfred Beal for mayor.
Lumumba’s second term was marked by controversy, including a nearly month-long period without regular garbage pickup services and criticism from the state’s majority-white, Republican leadership. He has been vocal about his opposition to these efforts, which he believes are paternalistic and racist.
The election promises to be a contentious one, with Lumumba facing challenges on multiple fronts – both inside and outside of the city government. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, they will have to weigh the merits of each candidate’s platform against the uncertainty surrounding Lumumba’s case.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/lumumba-seeks-third-term-as-jackson-mayor-under-cloud-of-bribery-charges-drawing-21-challengers