The Election Day for mayor of Jackson is fast approaching, and the two Democratic candidates picked up key endorsements Wednesday morning as they head into the upcoming mayoral runoff, May 19.
Sen. John Horhn held a press conference to thank his supporters and announce his endorsement of Harvey Johnson for Mayor of Jackson. Horhn garnered 18 percent of the vote in last week’s Democratic primary for the office. “I’m convinced that Harvey Johnson has a new sense of urgency to fix the problems of Jackson,” said Horhn.
Candidate Marshand Crisler, was endorsed by former Jackson Police Chief and State Corrections Commissioner Robert Johnson. They held a press conference in front of the Jackson Police Department. “After careful consideration of the two candidates, their positions on the issues most important to me, crime, neighborhood development and infrastructure improvement, I have decided to support Marshand Crisler for Mayor of Jackson,” said Johnson. “I believe he possesses the energy, motivation and willingness to engage and cooperate with all segments of Jackson to move our city forward. The city of Jackson simply can’t go backward despite the present condition that it is in.”
Johnson and Crisler spoke at a forum held in the auditorium of Murrah High School Tuesday evening. It was their first forum since the May 5 Democratic primaries followed by the tragic death of the incumbent Mayor Frank Melton.
The two candidates each discussed the issues including economics, crime, government and municipal redevelopment, and infrastructure repair to a slightly attended audience. Each candidate had a minute to address questions given to the panelists by the audience.
Johnson, who was mayor of Jackson before Melton, emphasized his past experience to the audience. “You’re going to hear a lot of talking through most of the campaign that is going to be about promises made,” said Johnson. “But there is only one candidate in this race who made promises and kept promises to the citizens of Jackson.”
Crisler, said that he was running for change in Jackson. The former Utica Police Chief also said that he has kept his promises to the people of his ward. “I understand the dynamics of city government,” he said. “You need the majority of the council working hand-in-hand with you as the mayor to get the government moving forward…and Jackson needs to move forward, I don’t think it needs to move backward.”
Despite the low turnout at the forum, those who attended wanted to see and hear the candidates. “I have not made my decision yet, so that’s why I’m coming to the forums,” said Patricia Ice with the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance. Ice has many expectations for either candidate particularly the treatment of immigrants in Jackson. “I have seen an indifference toward immigrant crime victims and others with the city administration and I would hope that the city administration would create a regular dialogue with the organization that I work for,” she said.
Crisler and Johnson face each other in a debate Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in Jackson State University’s Rose McCoy Auditorium. The debate is sponsored by 16 WAPT, the Jackson Progressives, Jackson 2000, Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, Jackson Free Press, and Jackson State University.
The debate will stream live on WAPT.com. It will also air on WAPT’s second digital channel, Comcast channel 208 and on Jackson State University’s TV 23. It is open to the public. Tickets are not needed, but the seating is limited. The doors open at 6 p.m.
The winner faces one Republican and four independent candidates in the general election June 2.
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