fbpx
Home - Breaking News, Events, Things-To-Do, Dining, Nightlife

HPNM

Qualifying period closes with nearly a dozen Democrats challenging Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba waited until Friday’s deadline to submit paperwork for reelection as the Democrat is now officially looking to win a third term, even with a federal indictment looming over his head.

Lumumba told reporters earlier in the week that the reason he did not qualify earlier in the process was because he’s been “busy working.” His team was also tasked with bringing finance reports up to date before becoming eligible. He delivered a manila envelope to the municipal clerk’s office one minute before the 5 p.m. deadline with what is presumed to be those updated reports to land himself on the ballot after previously not filing campaign finance reports since July 2021.

“I’m the only candidate who’s required out of the mayoral election to do some of the documentation that other candidates don’t have to do. That’s not a problem, but that’s the only explanation for that,” he said during his weekly press conference on Monday.

Lumumba is accused of accepting $50,000 in bribes from undercover FBI informants posing as real estate developers to unlawfully change a deadline for what he believed was a hotel project looking to land in the capital city. He faces up to 75 years in prison if convicted of an array of corruption-related charges.

Lumumba was indicted in November, alongside Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Ward 6 City Councilman Aaron Banks. Former Ward 2 City Councilwoman Angelique Lee pleaded guilty to her involvement, admitting she accepted thousands in bribes from the same informants, while the others maintain their innocence and await trial.

While Lumumba has called the indictment “political prosecution,” citizens of Jackson have been working in recent months to line up challengers. That work has shaped what will be the busiest Democratic primary and general election for Jackson mayor in recent memory.

As the qualifying period closed Friday evening and city hall locked its doors for the weekend, 11 Democrats and three independents had successfully thrown their hats in the ring.

On the Democratic side, three running have experience as elected officials: state

Read original article by clicking here.

Local Dining Stream

Things To Do

Related articles