Jeff Weill will vacate his seat on the Jackson City Council, when he’s sworn in as one of the newly-elected Hinds County Circuit judges. Weill, who serves as the lone Republican on Jackson’s City Council, easily defeated two opponents in the Nov. 2 election to replace retiring Hinds County Circuit Judge Swan Yerger.
As fate would have it, Weill was elected to the City Council in August 2007 in a special election to replace Ben Allen, who at the time, retired amid health concerns and controversy.
Weill won re-election to a full four-year term in 2009.
Now, several names have popped up as emerging candidates to fill the Ward 1 seat that covers Northeast Jackson.
Marcus Ward, who currently serves as an associate vice president of development at Alcorn State University, told The Mississippi Link that he plans to enter the race. “I do intend to run. I believe that experience counts and I have that experience,” Ward said. “The residents of Ward 1 can count on that experience to move not only the ward forward but the city as a whole.”
Ward believes the time he worked in city government under then Mayor Frank Melton has served him well to lead. “I know the financial and budget needs of this city,” Ward said. “When I served in the capacity of governmental affairs director, I secured $40 million for the city. That’s experience and I believe that’s what the people of Ward 1 want.” Ward served as chief of staff and as a JPD reserve officer. “I know what it takes to fight crime and I know that the citizens of Jackson and especially those of Ward 1 are interested in crime, budgets/finance and infrastructure and I’m ready to deliver,” said Ward.
Quentin Whitwell, who currently serves as an attorney, lobbyist and managing partner of Meadowbrook Strategies, a public relations and governmental affairs firm, is also gearing up for the big run. “We have organized our supporters and I am looking forward to running to become the next city council representative for Ward 1,” Whitwell said. “I think my record of consensus building makes me a viable candidate.”
Whitwell currently serves as the president of his homeowner’s association in the Sheffield community. “I’ve worked with a number of city leaders on economic development projects and in other areas of legislation for the city, so I have the capacity to get things done,” Whitwell said. “The people in Northeast Jackson are looking for someone that will get things done and my record speaks for itself.”
Whitwell, who is also a best selling author, said there are people who complain about not being able to get things done and then there are those that deliver. “I know for sure that the people in Ward 1 are looking for four things – a leader; someone that will stand up for them; someone that will get things done; and someone that understands business,” he said. “I’m the person that will stand up and fight and I understand business.”
Other names tossed about as potential candidates for the Ward 1 seat include former Deputy City Attorney Reginald Harrion, who now works in private practice and University of Mississippi Medical Center physician Dr. Jonathan Jones.
Our efforts to reach Harrion and Jones were unsuccessful.
Brenda Pree, who serves as the city clerk for Jackson told The Mississippi Link that as soon as Weill resigns his position, her office would make a presentation to the city council and at that point the council will set a date for a special election. “It is my understanding that Jeff will not officially resign until the first of the year, just before he’s sworn in,” Pree said. “ We then will follow the special election guidelines based on municipal election laws. “
Pree said once the council sets a date, candidates would have 20 days prior to that date to qualify.
In special elections, candidates do not have to declare a party affiliation.
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