10:20 PM

Lumumba thanks supporters in emotional concession speech

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, his wife, Ebony, and their two daughters walked into a room of supporters chanting his father’s slogan – “one city, one aim, one destiny” – shortly after the race was officially called in his opponent’s favor Tuesday night. 

During his concession speech, Lumumba thanked his staff and campaign volunteers and talked about the moment that convinced him to run for office: The night his father died in 2014, and Lumumba realized that running for office had more to do with “radical love” than political ambition.  

“This has been a labor of love but I enjoyed every movement,” he said.

The now two-term mayor, who was first elected on a wave of grassroots support in 2017, made it clear that he and his supporters aren’t going anywhere. He said they will continue to fight to protect Jackson’s resources, from the airport to the water system. 

“To be clear, we started this work by doing demonstrations on the mayor’s office, right” he said, referencing the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.

As of Tuesday night, the mayor trailed state Sen. John Horhn by nearly 12,000 votes. His supporters have in part blamed his loss on negative media coverage, which Lumumba seemed to reference during his speech.

“While you may have been characterized otherwise, I want you to know what you have represented,” he said. “You’ve laid out an example of loving your city.” 

The address started with a tender moment: Lumumba’s eldest daughter, 11-year-old Alake’ Maryama, was the first to take the mic and told Lumumba that his dad would’ve been proud.

“I just love Jackson so much,” she said. “When I was three years old, my dad became the youngest mayor of this city.” 

Lumumba’s younger daughter, 7-year-old Nubia Ngozi, made the room laugh when she started to speak by saying “ever since I was a little girl.” 

Ebony quoted Margaret Walker and reminded the room that Lumumba was elected mayor after he lost his first race for the position during the special election to replace his father. 

“It was a time we should’ve ran and tucked our tails and cried ourselves to sleep, but you took that as an opportunity to lead,” she said. 

Then she thanked Lumumba for sacrificing his youth to the city. By the time Lumumba took the mic, he had tears in his eyes. 

“The only thing that makes me cry is these three women right here,” he said. 

It was the honor of his professional life to be mayor of Jackson, he said, but his administration was about more than him.

When Jackson received $800 million for its water system, it was because the people spoke up, he said. 

“You made the world, you made the nation see your value,” he said. 

He thanked several members of his administration, including Safiya Omari, who served as his chief of staff. 

“I’m going to call you what I really call you: Mama Safiya,” he said. “I thank you for your love. I thank you for taking the arrows to defend me.” 

He then proceeded to reiterate that he was not guilty of any crime. Lumumba is facing federal corruption allegations in an FBI sting involving campaign checks and an alleged favor for a prospective developer.

“I know there was a lot you were given to think about this election,” he said. “A lot that they told you about who I am and who you are. I want to be clear: I am not guilty of any crime. I am not guilty of bribery. I am not guilty of quid pro quo.” 

With that, Lumumba said the campaign should end where it started and his supporters started again chanting his father’s slogan: “One city, one aim, one destiny.”

Then everybody took to the dance floor for the electric slide. 

9:51 PM

Accepting Democratic nomination, Horhn likens himself to ‘Little Engine That Could’

It was all cheers and chants of “Jackson is Ready!” as state Sen. John Horhn accepted the Democratic nomination for Jackson mayor.

The 32-year senator defeated incumbent Mayor Chokwe Lumumba by nearly 11,000 votes.

“I feel like The Little Engine That Could,” Horhn said. “He had perseverance and persistence, and today I feel like The Little Engine That Could because after the fourth try, we did it.”

Horhn was referring to his previous unsuccessful mayoral bids. In his speech, he also thanked Mayor Lumumba.

“He ran a passionate race, and we have differences of opinion about many things, but I think that ultimately everybody is trying to do the same thing, and this is an opportunity for us to come together in the city of Jackson. I salute the mayor for his efforts. We are going to turn the page, however,” he said, to another round of raucous cheers.

Horhn said that he plans to be the embodiment of change. He pointed to the overwhelming stats that show he won the runoff by 75%, more than the 48% he earned during the April 1 Primary.

“The people of Jackson are saying that they want change,” he said. “They want better leadership.”

Horhn still has the June 3 general election ahead of him, what he calls “a hard road to hoe.”

“We’re on our way, and we have to keep up the energy, keep up the momentum that we’ve seen in this campaign,” he said. “l trust and believe that you all will be helping me to keep this momentum going, because Jackson is ready!”

9:14 PM

Lumumba supporters blame ‘challenging’ media coverage as one reason for loss

As Tuesday night’s runoff was called in favor of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba’s opponent, his supporters said that unfavorable media coverage contributed to his loss.

“This is the moment the media has been working for,” said Makani Themba, a volunteer media coordinator for Lumumba’s campaign who spoke in her personal capacity as a resident of south Jackson.

With 78 out of 80 precincts reporting, Lumumba’s 5,904 votes trailed state Sen. John Horhn’s 17,679. 

In the lead up to the runoff, Lumumba and his campaign worked to share his accomplishments with the city, believing that not enough residents knew what he’d achieved during his tenure. 

But this was a tough campaign, said Nsombi Lambright-Haynes, the executive director of OneVoice who also served as Lumumba’s campaign coordinator. 

A big reason for that was the public discourse around the election, she said. 

“I’ve dealt with media bias before, but this year the media has been a little different, and I hesitate to say it has been intentional,” she said, “but it just almost looks like there was a purposeful slant against the mayor in order to paint his character in a certain way during this campaign, and that was very challenging to overcome.” 

The bias even extended to painting Jackson in a negative light, she said, citing statements Horhn had made that described the city as having hit “rock bottom.” 

“We spent a lot of time telling people that Jackson is not a horrible place to live in,” she said. 

Albert Sykes, a supporter, said he thought tonight would be the best media coverage Lumumba received this election cycle, even though he lost. 

“I don’t think he had a lot of help from the media, but that’s every mayor that ever lost,” Sykes said. “Their best night is the night they lose the election, because you get a chance to hear what they’ve done for the city.”

8:21 PM

‘A people person:’ At watch party, city hall receptionist recalls working for Lumumba

Linda Weathersby said her job as a receptionist at City Hall is on the line if Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is not reelected Tuesday night. 

But that might be okay. At 72 years old, she’s planning to retire soon anyway. By this point in the evening, with over half of precincts reporting, just 30% of ballots counted belonged to Lumumba.

Weathersby was one among the first group of supporters to come to the ICE House, an event space downtown where Lumumba held his watch party Tuesday night. 

She was also one of the mayor’s first hires in 2017, having served as his receptionist since day one. She helped set up his office and said she is one of a handful of staffers who’ve served the whole time. 

“I’ve seen them come and go,” she said. 

Answering the phone wasn’t always easy, she said. Especially during the water crisis. 

“You don’t even wanna know” what people would say to her, she said. They’d curse. She’d laugh them off.

Even though being mayor kept Lumumba busy, Weathersby said he always had time for her. 

“I know him as a person, but any time he’d come in, he’d always say good morning and give me a hug,” she said. “He is a people person. He cares about the people and the city of Jackson.”

8:01 PM

Horhn watch party off to lively start

It’s lively at The Rookery tonight as supporters of state Sen. John Horhn flock to the downtown event venue. Nearly one hundred people have filled the space, and they wait joyously, watching the screen as results have started to trickle in. 

Rashean Thomas, fire department union president, said that “Jackson is Ready,” quoting Horhn’s campaign slogan.

“He has the experience, he has the knowledge, he has the patience and the connections to move Jackson in the right direction,” Thomas said.

“…If you want something to change, you have to do something different. John Horhn is that difference maker.”

With 17 of 80 precincts reporting, Horhn is currently in the lead with 2,038 votes.

7:06 PM

Jackson municipal clerk confirms one precinct ran out of ballots

While some precincts in Jackson ran low on ballots during Tuesday’s runoff election, Jackson Municipal Clerk Angela Harris said only one precinct ran out completely: Willie Morris Library, a polling location in northeast Jackson’s Ward 1.

Harris wrote in an email that the precinct ran out of ballots while her office was printing more after being notified the library was running low.

“The poll managers were notified to ask the voters to wait in line while ballots were delivered and ballots are still being printed and delivered to that precinct,” she wrote at 6:29 p.m.

Willie Morris never runs out of ballots, said Jocelyn Amos, the precinct manager who has worked there for more than a decade.

“We’re always on top of that, we always have more than enough,” Amos said. “It’s very, very rare that we run into any issues.”

Amos said the reason was due to much higher-than-anticipated turnout this Election Day. While runoffs typically see a drop in turnout compared to the primary, by 6:45 p.m., 782 ballots had been cast at Willie Morris, almost as much as the 795 ballots cast in the primary.

The lapse in ballots was embarrassing, but voters were not deterred, Amos said, adding that just one woman left the line — then came back with her neighbor.

“It was like a dam broke, but thank goodness they were patient,” Amos said.

Two voters stood talking in the quiet library after casting their ballots. John Michael Holtmann said that while he wasn’t sure the true cause of the high turnout, he knows that Jacksonians want real change in the city.

“I think people are ready to see some action,” he said.

But it remains to be seen if Sen. John Horhn will deliver change. The other voter, Bob Denny, said he wasn’t sure.

“I ain’t sure about that, but it’s the lesser of two evils,” he said.

6:01 PM

Secretary of State responds to Horhn campaign report that four Jackson precincts ran out of ballots

The Mississippi Secretary of State responded to an inquiry from state Sen. John Horhn’s campaign about some precincts in Jackson allegedly running out of ballots amid higher-than-anticipated voter turnout. 

Liz Johnson, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State, said the Horhn campaign reported that four precincts in Jackson, including Willie Morris Library, ran out of ballots. The SOS then called the Jackson City Clerk’s Office, which said they were already in the process of printing and delivering more ballots. 

“I don’t know if it was that any precinct was officially out,” Johnson said. 

Jackson Municipal Clerk Angela Harris did not respond to an email requesting comment. Johnson said it is not unusual for Jackson to run out of ballots but the city has been trying to remedy that.

Jada Barnes, an organizer with the Jackson-based MS Votes, helps maintain and respond to a voter hotline during elections in Mississippi. As of this afternoon, she said MS Votes has not heard of any reports of issues in Jackson, which she attributed to voters feeling passionate about the runoff and researching their precinct locations ahead of time. 

“I guess voters heard about the primary election and are like maybe I need to get out this time or I need to make sure I get back,” she said.

4:54 PM

Horhn election-eve apology reignites discussion of ‘crumbs’ gaffe

The moment that state Sen. John Horhn said the word “crumbs” during a Mar. 17 forum at the Afrikan Art Gallery on Farish Street, attendees “lost their minds,” said Tim Henderson, a former mayoral candidate who spoke at the event. 

In the weeks leading up to the runoff, Horhn’s comment – which was translated various ways but essentially amounted to, “Jackson should be happy with the crumbs it receives from the Legislature” – had been making the rounds on social media. One of the voters Mississippi Today interviewed said it was the most memorable moment of the election. 

The remark was indicative of the deferential posture that Horhn’s detractors have criticized him for adopting in the Legislature. But a recording of the gaffe, which could have provided the context in which Horhn said it, was never released, and discussion of it died down. 

It was a poor choice of words, Horhn told Mississippi Today Friday, and he was trying to express that Black and Democratic lawmakers operate in a “hostile environment” in the Legislature and “it’s honestly a miracle that we can get anything done there at all.” 

Then on Monday night, WLBT published a story with an apology from Horhn, who said he had intended to reference the poor relationship that Lumumba, not the residents of Jackson, have with the state Legislature. 

Henderson, who is in Los Angeles this week for work, said on Tuesday he’d seen Horhn’s explanation, but that it wasn’t how he remembered the moment.

“That statement wasn’t pointed at Lumumba, that was to the people,” Henderson said. “I was there that night. That didn’t have anything to do with Lumumba. … It didn’t have anything to do with relationships. His statement was, ‘You oughta be happy for the crumbs you get.’ That was the statement.” 

Eldridge Henderson, a radio host who moderated the forum, concurred.

“Basically, he (Horhn) was talking about Black folks,” the moderator told Mississippi Today Tuesday. 

But Zach Servis, an independent candidate for mayor who also spoke at the forum that night, felt the opposite. He said the room was full of Lumumba supporters and that some of the candidates on the stage had spent the forum egging Horhn on. 

“The context was definitely not directed towards the voters,” Servis said. “He wasn’t overtly saying ‘Lumumba,’ but he was basically saying, ‘Y’all’s administration should be happy you are even getting this from the state with how poorly you’ve managed an administration.” 

It was one of the final moments of the forum, said Ray McCants, an independent candidate in the Ward 5 city council race. After Horhn said it, McCants recalled that a woman in the room exclaimed “crumbs are for dogs.” 

3:27 PM

Voters in North Jackson hope to elect mayor who puts the ‘people first’

At Aldersgate United Methodist Church in north Jackson, voters headed inside at a steady clip to fill their ballots throughout the afternoon.

Resident Marion Jordan said she always votes on Election Day.

“This is normal for me to come vote when it’s time,” Jordan said.

She said Jackson has changed since she moved here 35 years ago, and not for the better. To her, infrastructure and keeping the city clean are the biggest issues when deciding who should be Jackson’s next mayor.

“It seems to have gotten worse since I came here. Things seem to have been kept up better. It was better living conditions, I would think, for the citizens who lived here. And now, not as much attention was given to that as it was back then, I’m certain.”

“…I think that should be a priority for people that we are electing. When they say they’re going to do things, they should follow up, and we should hold them responsible for it.”

Ruth Gordon points to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the importance of African Americans making themselves heard at the polls. Jackson is nearly 80% Black.

“People think their vote doesn’t count but it does,” Gordon said. “Our ancestors fought and died for us to vote, and I think everyone should exercise their right to vote. It’s very important.”

She hopes to elect a leader that will put the people first. She points to issues of crime and residents migrating out of the city.

“We’ve had mayors before that were more concerned about making Jackson better, now it seems like people are not thinking about making it better. They’re thinking more about themselves than the people, I think. Hopefully we can get back there again.”

2:43 PM

At Horhn’s home precinct, 700 ballots projected

Just before 3 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where Horhn cast his vote Tuesday morning, 486 people had voted and poll workers were estimating they’d see 700 voters before the day was up.

Aldersgate is the highest turnout precinct in the city. On April 1, nearly half of the precinct’s 1,845 registered voters turned out, 44% of which voted for Horhn and 21% for Lumumba.

2:15 PM

Lumumba, Horhn running with various endorsements

Incumbent Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and challenger state Sen. John Horhn have secured varying endorsements this election cycle. 

Horhn has won the backing of Democratic heavyweights like Congressman Bennie Thompson and former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy. He’s also been endorsed by a smattering of local unions and developers, as well as a coalition of businesspeople in the city called Rethink Jackson that was convened by Robert Gibbs, a developer and attorney.

Lumumba has the support of several former mayoral Jackson candidates from this cycle, including David Archie, Delano Funches and James Hopkins. He also has backing from thought leaders in the city, including the publisher of the Jackson Advocate and social media personality Othor Cain. This morning, rapper and producer David Banner filmed an endorsement for the mayor. 

Outside his polling place on Tuesday, Lumumba referenced the support he’s received from other American mayors of cities like Birmingham, Ala., and St. Paul, Minn.

“I’m grateful to these mayors,” he said. “We all put our heads together to find solutions to our problems.”

1:57 PM

Strong showing at Ward 2 precinct

Just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, 535 people had voted at New Hope Baptist Church, Precinct 83 in Ward 2. On April 1, that precinct saw 980 ballots out of 2,642 registered voters there. While Horhn led the precinct with 46% of the vote, it was also one of the stronger precincts for Mayor Lumumba, who received about 21% of the vote.

Outside of the church, supporters of Horhn and Lumumba waved campaign signs. One woman could be heard yelling “Vote for Mayor Lumumba. Jackson is not for sale!” at passing cars.

Voter Athalia King said she’s concerned about Jackson. She’s lived in the city for more than 50 years.

“We want to do whatever we can to help out,” King said. “Voting is one way that we feel is leading in the right direction of what to do. Let’s just hope that it all turns out well.”

She urges young voters to head to the polls like their “life depends on it.”

“Tell them to pay attention to the news, to what’s going on in their city. Follow the history of how far we’ve come. We’ve earned the right to vote and we need to do that,” she said.

1:16 PM

Lumumba casts vote, says “We’re claiming the victory”

Mayor Chokwe Lumumba voted at his precinct, Precinct 32 located at Fire Station #16 in Ward 7, at about 1 p.m. Tuesday. Just under 1,000 people are registered at that precinct, one of the city’s highest turnout polls, and one of the strongest footholds for Horhn. 

Lumumba described his day: “We’re going to polling places. We still have to be mom and dad. We have to pick up our daughters from their school. At the same time, we’ll be trying to flush people out, monitoring where the numbers are, talking with the campaign team, making sure people are motivated, continuing phone banking and making sure we get the vote out.”

Three weeks ago, 394 total ballots, 378 of them Democratic, were cast at Precinct 32. Horhn received 72% of the vote there and Lumumba received just 2%. 

Outside the precinct, Lumumba said, “We’re prayerful and we’re claiming the victory. These relationships are not temporary relationships. We’ve supported each other and our connection is more than we were elected into office. It’s because we love people.”

12:17 PM

Ward 6 council candidate says campaign signs missing

In Ward 6, Jackson City Council candidate Lashia Brown-Thomas said someone has been removing her campaign signs, such as from Elton Road and Terry Road. 

“They’ve been taking down my signs and throwing them in the garbage,” Brown-Thomas said. “I haven’t put any more down because those signs are expensive. Somebody is taking them down.” 

Brown-Thomas, a law enforcement officer, is competing in the runoff Tuesday against Emon Thompson Sr., a businessman and retired veteran. In the April 1 primary, Thompson garnered 714 votes or 22% of the contest totals. Brown-Thomas earned 20% or 652 votes.

Both are running to replace two-term councilman Aaron Banks, who was indicted and pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he accepted cash bribes in exchange for his vote on a downtown development project. Banks told Mississippi Today in March that he always intended to serve just two terms.

11:53 AM

Mississippi primary elections are open, with a caveat

Jacksonians who did not vote in the April 1 primary can still vote in today’s runoff in the Democratic and Republican primaries. However, those who voted in the April 1 primary are not legally allowed to vote in the opposite party’s runoff.

Most voters today will cast a Democratic ballot, choosing between Lumumba and Horhn. Residents in Wards 6 and 7 have a Democratic primary runoff for their representative on the City Council. There’s also a Republican primary runoff for mayor between Wilfred Beal and Kenneth Gee.

Mississippi has open primaries, meaning voters do not register with a political party and may vote in any party primary they choose. In June’s general election, voters may also select any candidate regardless of the primary they voted in.

11:28 AM

Following negative mailer, Ward 7 council candidates urge Jacksonians to vote

Both candidates vying to represent Ward 7 on the Jackson City Council are out in the rain today, encouraging people to vote in the runoff.

Kevin Parkinson, a former principal of Midtown Public Charter who entered the runoff in first position, having garnered 1,125 votes or 38% of the vote, said he spoke on WMPR this morning to remind people it’s Election Day. He’s also walking through higher-turnout neighborhoods in the ward such as Midtown, Belhaven and Alta Woods.

“Even really engaged, really smart people might not be familiar with the runoff process, or people who are leading busy lives just might not know,” he said.

Candidate Quint Withers, an accountant and Realtor, has emphasized his family’s deep roots in Jackson. During the primary, he came in close second with 939 votes or 32%. Today, Withers wrote in a text that he’s been out waving and speaking to folks at precincts throughout the ward and that the voting lines are steady after this morning’s rain.

“Quint won’t Quit!” he wrote.

Both men are vying to replace outgoing councilwoman Virgi Lindsay. The race was somewhat uneventful before the runoff, with both candidates emphasizing that Jacksonians needed to elect a councilperson who knew the limitations of the role and how to collaborate. But as the runoff neared, the race took on a new tone when Withers sent out a mailer casting aspersions on Parkinson’s record leading Midtown Public Charter. 

“Transparency and results are important,” Withers wrote. “Experience is important. FACTS are important.” 

The mailer noted the school’s failing accountability letter grades under Parkinson, but Parkinson said that’s not the full picture, noting in part that test scores improved during his leadership.

“If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that our city government has too many mudslingers,” he said. “We need somebody who can focus on bringing a positive vision.” 

The Ward 7 primary runoff winner will face one independent and one Republican in the General Election in June.

10:31 AM

Horhn campaign found no  election “irregularities” this morning, spokesperson says

State Sen. John Horhn’s poll watchers checked voting machines at key precincts throughout the city this morning and did not find any “irregularities,” meaning all the machines were at zero votes when the polls opened at 7 a.m., said Eric Walker, a campaign spokesperson. There are more than 80 precincts in Jackson, and some of the locations the Horhn campaign is watching include Tougaloo, Fondren Church, Timberlawn Elementary, Christ United and Casey Elementary.  

At the end of the day, the poll watchers will check the number of votes on the machines against their manual count of each voter who entered the precinct.

“Typically what we do is we have our poll workers sit there and they count each person that comes in and they make hangman sticks if you will,” Walker said. 

Last night, Horhn told WAPT that he wanted every voting machine in the city checked to ensure there is no “hanky-panky” on Election Day.