The democratic primary runoff is over, and the former mayor of Jackson is on the verge of becoming mayor again.
Harvey Johnson Jr. defeated City Councilman Marshand Crisler to become the democratic candidate for mayor of Jackson. He now faces the general election June 2 against the Republican and Independent candidates.
Johnson declared victory over Crisler shortly past 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and arrived with his wife at his headquarters in North Jackson to give his victory speech. “What a powerful God we serve,” he said. “Those were my words four years ago. If those words were true then, then they’re true now.”
The former mayor won over Crisler by over 60 percent of the vote. “This was a hard fought race,” said Johnson. “I asked for another chance, the people of Jackson are giving me another chance.”
According to reports, the voter turnout was relatively low and exit polls numbers favored Harvey Johnson.
Marshand Crisler who received 37 percent of the vote, said that he ran a positive campaign and his staff did a stellar job. “I think our message resonated, I think it was the right message at the right time,” said Crisler.
The former Utica police chief blamed apathy in the electorate for his loss in the runoff. “I think obviously there is some distrust and disappointment in the citizens of Jackson when it comes to the political process and government.”
Crisler also said that he would want to continue public service despite his loss in his run for mayor and relinquishing his seat on the city council.
Johnson was not the only candidate to win in the city elections. City Councilmen Frank Bluntson and Charles Tillman retained their seats in Wards 4 and 5 respectively. Chokwe Lumumba won the council seat for Ward 2 currently held by retiring Councilman and Interim Mayor Leslie McLemore. Tony Yarber became the democratic frontrunner for Ward 6 after defeating Joe Lewis. He now faces Independent Samuel Kazery in the general election.
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