Is Lumumba running for reelection? Deadline to file has passed, and city officials refuse to say
The City of Jackson has refused to provide the official list of candidates who have qualified for both the mayor and the Jackson City Council elections even though the qualifying period ended Friday at 5 p.m.
It's still unknown if Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who is facing a federal indictment, has qualified to run for reelection.
Lumumba walked into the to the clerk's at 4:59 p.m. It was unclear if he was submitting paperwork. He then walked out and refused multiple questions from reporters. When asked if he had qualified, he told the Clarion Ledger, "no comment today."
Jackson Spokesperson Melissa Payne said she did not know if the mayor filed paperwork on Friday. But Lumumba has repeatedly said — for nearly a year — he intends to run for a third term. That includes statements he made after his indictment, confirming that "nothing has changed" and he still plans to run.
According to the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, there is no law requiring the city to prepare a list by the end of deadline.
Municipal Clerk Angela Harris said on Friday that she was "inundated with work" and an official list will be posted on Monday. The municipal clerk reports directly to Lumumba, according to the city's website.
If Lumumba does qualify, he will be facing at least 11 challengers, including nine Democrats and two Independents. Those mayoral candidates who have officially qualified include:
Delano Funches — Democratic
James E. Hopkins — Democratic
LaKeisha J. Crye — Democratic
Albert Wilson — Democratic
John Horhn — Democratic
Marcus Wallace — Democratic
Ali M. Shamsiddeen — Democratic
Kourtney Christopher Page — Democratic
Tim Henderson — Democratic
Zach Servis — Independent
Rodney DePriest — Independent
Lumumba's indictment: Jackson Bribery scandal: Mayor Lumumba, DA Owens, Councilman Banks plead not guilty
While the city refuses to release the official qualifying list, an "unofficial list" was made public of candidates who have qualified as of Jan. 24.
Find that list here.
The "unofficial list" does not include Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote, who confirmed with the Clarion Ledger this week that he will running for reelection. Foote, the sole Republican on the council, said he will be running as an Independent.
Additionally, the "unofficial list" does not state if Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks has qualified to run. When asked this week after the council's Tuesday meeting, Banks said "Y'all will know on Friday."
Banks is also under indictment for bribery in the same scandal that has swept up former Jackson Councilwoman Angelique Lee and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens. Lee pleaded guilty to bribery charges. Lumumba, Banks and Owens await trial.
Should any of them run, they could be elected before the trial ever takes place. Attorneys have asked for extensions into next year. The primaries are April 1. The general election is June 3.
Lumumba faces five federal charges. All of Lumumba's charges center around an April trip he took with the undercover agents, Owens and Smith to Ft. Lauderdale for a "fundraiser," with private jets, a yacht and partying at a local club.
Redistricting: Jackson's ward lines have been redrawn. Use this tool to check what ward you live in
Besides the qualifying period ending, the deadline to file candidates' campaign finance reports was also Friday at 5 p.m. According to Elizabeth Johnson, communications director for the Mississippi Secretary of State, campaign finance reports "should be available at clerk's offices for public consumption starting Monday."
It is not known how $50,000 that Lumumba received in Florida, at the center of the Jackson bribery scandal, will appear on the campaign finance report. Lumumba has not filed a report since 2021 and won't say why.
More key election dates for residents to be aware of can be found here.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Who is running for Jackson mayor? Jackson does not provide official list
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