Charlie Drape

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Eleven mayoral candidates pitched themselves and debated each other to a crowd of Jackson residents during a candidate forum Saturday at concert venue Duling Hall.

A local group, Jacksonians 4 Jackson, hosted the "Fantastic February Mayoral Face-Off" as a way to drum up conversation about this year's upcoming election and hopefully increase voter turnout. Entering into the venue, each of the 11 candidates was stationed at a table where they were handing out flyers and campaign pamphlets. Residents were then encouraged to walk around and speak with each.

Jackson's primary election is just weeks away, set for April 1, while the general election will be held on June 3.

The 11 mayoral hopefuls were given approximately three minutes each to introduce themselves, talk about the key issues on which they are campaigning and make their pitch for why they are the best person for Jackson's top public office. Next the candidates participated in a "face-off" where they each were allowed to ask a question and debate with a candidate of their choosing. Lastly, residents then asked questions to the candidates.

The candidates who participated in the forum included nine Democrats and two Independents. The nine democrats include, David Archie, Delano Funches, Socrates Garrett, Tim Henderson, James Hopkins, John Horhn, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Marcus Wallace and Albert Wilson. The two independents who spoke at the forum were Zach Servis and Kim Wade. Another Independent, Rodney DePriest, was scheduled to participate, but couldn't make the event.

Noticeably absent from Saturday's conversation was a direct mention of the bribery scandal that has rocked the city and has brought upon it federal felony charges against Lumumba and three other elected officials. Lumumba, who has pleaded not guilty, will likely not be tried before the primary or the general election. At least three candidates alluded to the scandal without mentioning it or those charged by name.

Tim Henderson

Henderson, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, focused on the need for strong leadership in Jackson. He spoke on his time in the military helping run a base in South Korea as giving him "experience that's not like any other that you've seen."

Henderson said his platform is based on his interactions with community. Through those interactions, he learned a few of the issues he plans to focus on if elected mayor: economic development, affordable housing, homelessness.