“It is an honor to stand here and endorse the candidacy of the next mayor of Jackson, Harvey Johnson Jr,” said Chairman of the Municipal Democratic Party in Jackson and Chairman of the Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee Claude McInnis today (May 29) at the Johnson Headquarters, located at 4436 North State St.
The Mississippi Democrats held the press conference and rally to announce the their endorsement of the Democratic mayoral candidate. “I’m feeling very good that the city of Jackson finally will be back in the steady hands that will move this city forward,” McInnis said.
A number of officials showed their support for Johnson, including Kate Jacobson, vice president of Mississippi’s Young Democrats and member of the Hinds County’s Young Democrats. “For students who graduate from Jackson Public Schools and go to college elsewhere, we want to give them a reason to come back home and live in Jackson,” she said. “We need a leader who can encourage them to stay here when they graduate. He is the only candidate who understands the potential the city has and will get us back on track.”
Barbara Blackman, vice chair of Mississippi State Democratic Party, referenced a biblical scripture that states, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” Blackman said that there is also a saying that says, “Where goes the capital city so goes the rest of the state.” “We are just so proud that our mayor in exile will soon become our mayor again. The State of Mississippi Democratic party whole-heartedly endorses Harvey Johnson Jr. as the next mayor of the Capital City because his steps have truly been ordered by the Lord,” she said.
Following the rally, Hinds County Supervisor George Smith talked to The Mississippi Link about his reasons for supporting Johnson. “Well first of all, he’s a Democrat and second, he is a man that can bring a lot to the table,” he said. Smith talked about Johnson’s political experience and previous campaigns and added, “What better individual to move this city forward than to have a man that has that type knowledge.”
Addressing the media, Johnson said he was grateful to receive the endorsements. “This is the first time that we’ve had democrats form different levels throughout the state to make this kind of endorsement,” Johnson said.
Other members among the crowd included other officials, ministers, former mayoral candidate Brenda Scott, former Ward 4 candidate Jacqueline Amos Norris and business leaders.
Speaking of business leaders, L. Socrates Garrett, chairman and CEO of Garrett Enterprises, Inc., said: “I’ve known Mayor Johnson for a long, long time,” Garrett said. “I was a staunch supporter of him during his first and second term in office. I think he did an outstanding job during his tenure as mayor.”
He said Johnson has always stood for equal business opportunities for African-American businesses. “He [Johnson] believes personally that we need a strong black business class, and every opportunity needs to be created to develop a strong black business class. He has done that in the past and he promises to do that in the future,” Garrett said.
The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership board member admits he was quite impressed with the significant number of qualified democrats running for mayor. “I was very pleased to see the quality that we had,” he said. As a businessman, he said he did what he could to aid a number of campaigns when asked. He believes “Jackson has a brighter future through those who have offered themselves up for office.”
Adults were not the only ones showing their support, future voter Jakiah Scott, 7, also waved her “Harvey Johnson for Mayor” sign. “He is a really great man and I would like him to be the mayor of Jackson, the Key Elementary student said.”
The Johnson campaign has schedule several weekend events to encourage citizens to return to the polls. The “Energize the Vote Family Day BBQ” is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Johnson headquarters, 4436 North State St. The event will also feature a radio broadcast reminding voters of the upcoming election.
On Sunday, May 31, there will be a gospel fest at the Alamo Theater, 333 North Farish St. at 5 p.m. The event will feature musical groups, gospel choirs and ministers as keynote speakers.
According to Johnson, this is all done to “remind people that this is still election season. A campaign is still going and we need them to get out and vote.”
Johnson is hopeful that voter turnout will be bigger than the primary. “The vote is the great equalizer,” Johnson said, “and the vote is something that is the responsibility of every citizen in this country. We want to make sure that people are reminded to come back to the polls… It’s not over yet. We need people to come back one more time and vote on June 2.”
Johnson faces Republican George Lambus and Independents Rick Whitlow, Charlotte Reeves, David Archie and Jabari Toins in Tuesday’s election.
Former mayoral candidate Marshand Crisler, who was defeated by Johnson in the recent runoff election, issued a media release Thursday (May 28) announcing his endorsement of Harvey Johnson for Mayor.
The Mississippi Link was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach some of the other mayoral candidates regarding their reaction to Johnson’s endorsements, and any endorsements they would like to announce.
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