As a busy field shapes up ahead of the 2025 mayoral election in Mississippi’s capital city, recent indications show current Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba may not be receiving an endorsement from the state’s most prominent Democrat this time around.
After endorsing Lumumba for mayor in the past, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson was singing a different tune during a speech at New Horizon Church last month. Asserting that Jackson has a plethora of federal funds at its disposal, the longtime congressman described it as “tough” watching the largest city in his district not take advantage of that money or other federal government-offered resources.
“We have a future in this community, but we’ve got to get it right. We’ve got to make some difficult choices,” Thompson told those in attendance on July 28. “I just think that the capital city has to do better. I just think that there’s so much that we can do if we sit down and talk to each other. We have more money and opportunities from the federal level that we don’t take advantage of in the capital city. It’s tough.”
Lumumba’s eight years in office have been plagued by a detrimental water crisis and homicide rates nearly tripling since he was first inaugurated in 2017. Spats between the Democratic mayor and the Democratic-controlled city council are often front-page news, whether it’s about trash contracts, city employees, or other disagreements turned tense.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., talks during a hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
While Thompson did note that he would like to see communication between different parties representing Jackson improved, he urged citizens to begin thinking about who they will vote for next year. The 2025 elections include both the mayoral seat along with the seven seats on the city council.
“At some point, you’ll have to make a decision next year on a lot of people. I want you to make the right decision,” Thompson said. “You see it as an opportunity. If you like it, you keep it. If not, you figure out what other choices
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