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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Lumumba addresses council's hiring freeze, says recent hires were about serving residents
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba defended two recent hires made during the final weeks of his second term — decisions that prompted the Jackson City Council to pass an ordinance implementing a hiring freeze on most city positions through the end of June. Lumumba recently appointed Tariq Abdul-Tawwab as deputy director of the Public Works Department and former Hinds County Supervisor David Archie as a staff assistant in the mayor's office. Abdul-Tawwab previously served as 'chief experience officer' at JXN Water in 2023 but left later that year. His wife, Candace Abdul-Tawwab, is a director at the People's Advocacy Institute, a nonprofit founded by the mayor's sister, Rukia Lumumba. Archie, who ran against Lumumba in the April 1 primary, endorsed the mayor ahead of the April 22 runoff, according to a Facebook post shared by Lumumba on April 18. Council President and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay, who introduced the hiring freeze ordinance on May 20, previously confirmed the two appointments influenced her decision to bring the legislation forward. Speaking after the council's Tuesday meeting, Lumumba initially declined to comment, saying, 'I don't have any thoughts,' when asked about the council's hiring freeze. But he later defended the hires, saying both positions were vacant and essential to city operations. "Both of those positions were vacant and they both serve the community and our responsibility is to serve the community until the end," Lumumba said. "One vacancy deals directly with constituent complaints every day, so if people are in need of water at senior centers, if people need somebody to come check out their pothole — I would imagine that the residents don't want me to leave them with 60 days of not responding to those issues." Lumumba also pushed back on criticism that the hires were politically motivated. "It's not a political thing. It's a responding thing. So both of those positions are about responding to residents needs," Lumumba said. Before Lumumba addressed the hiring freeze, the council approved an amendment to the original ordinance during its regular meeting to allow for additional hires. The original ordinance, obtained by the Clarion Ledger, freezes all vacant positions — and those expected to become vacant — within the executive branch, except for roles specifically assigned to the Jackson Police Department and Jackson Fire Department. Lindsay introduced the amendment to allow JPD to hire critical positions, such as 911 dispatchers. It also permits the hiring of seasonal workers in the Department of Parks and Recreation, including an educational specialist and three zookeepers at the Jackson Zoo, two lifeguards and park maintenance staff. The amendment further allows the city to hire CDL drivers for the Division of Solid Waste and two employees in the Department of Finance and Administration, positions Chief Financial Officer Fidelis Malembeka said he is prepared to fill. The council passed the amended ordinance in a 6-0 vote. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes was not in attendance when the vote was called. The hiring freeze remains until June 30. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS mayor Lumumba defends hires as council tweaks city hiring freeze
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jackson City Council freezes all city hiring after mayor hires political ally, former opponent
In an emergency move Tuesday night, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved a hiring freeze across a majority of city departments through the end of June. The freeze follows two recent hires by Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, including former Hinds County District 2 Supervisor David Archie. Archie confirmed to the Clarion Ledger after the Tuesday night meeting that he's been hired as a 'mayor's office staff assistant.' Notably, Archie ran against Lumumba for mayor but lost in the April 1 primary. Archie later endorsed the mayor during his bid in the April 22 runoff, according to an April 18 Facebook post by Lumumba. The second hire was Tariq Abdul-Tawwab, appointed as deputy director of the city's Department of Public Works. Lumumba confirmed the hire during a May 12 press conference. Abdul-Tawwab previously served as 'chief experience officer' at JXN Water in 2023 but left the position later that year. His wife, Candace Abdul-Tawwab, is a director at the People's Advocacy Institute, a nonprofit founded by the mayor's sister, Rukia Lumumba. It's unclear how much Archie and Abdul-Tawwab are being paid. Speaking after the meeting, Ward 7 Councilwoman and Council President Virgi Lindsay confirmed that Lumumba's recent hires influenced her decision to introduce the emergency ordinance. Lindsay added the item to the agenda late, requiring unanimous approval from the council just to consider it. Council members looked surprised when they received the emergency ordinance, but approved it with little questions directed towards Lindsay. It looked as if they were just following her lead, but Lindsay said she had discussed it "with almost all of them." Lindsay also pushed for the ordinance to be expedited, allowing it to take effect immediately. Typically, ordinances are introduced at one meeting and voted on at the next, taking 30 days to go into effect. In this case, the council unanimously approved both adding the item to the agenda and fast-tracking it for immediate implementation. The emergency ordinance was approved in 7-0 vote. According to a copy of the ordinance obtained by the Clarion Ledger, the measure places a freeze on all vacant positions — and those expected to become vacant — within the executive branch, except for roles specifically assigned to "certified law enforcement patrol and combat fire." During the meeting, Safiya Omari, Lumumba's chief of staff, asked whether the hiring freeze would apply to all departments outside of JPD and JFD. She specifically inquired about the Office of the City Attorney, which is currently working to fill several positions. Lindsay affirmed that the City Attorney's office would indeed be affected by the freeze. "We're five weeks from the change (in administration) and I just don't think it's prudent to be hiring people," Lindsay said after the meeting, adding that she did not discuss with Lumumba about the emergency ordinance. Lumumba was not in attendance Tuesday night. "We have a new administration taking office July 1 and the risk is there that the new hires may not even be able to keep their jobs, so it's just unfortunate that we even had to take this action tonight," Lindsay said. "But I think it's important as a body that we remain as fiscally responsible as we can to the taxpayers." Lumumba lost the April 22 Democratic primary runoff to state Sen. John Horhn and his term ends June 30. Horhn, who is heavily favored to become Jackson's next mayor, will face one Republican and four independent candidates in the June 3 general election. Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Lumumba recent hires spark Jackson MS hiring freeze
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jackson, Mississippi, mayor facing federal bribery charges trails challenger in mayoral election results
The federally indicted mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, is trailing his opponent in the city's Democratic primary runoff. Unofficial vote totals show state Sen. John Horhn leading two-term Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba 18,493 to 6,246, according to the city clerk's office. Although absentee votes have not yet been counted, Horhn declared victory in the race. Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks are facing charges of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud and money laundering, the Justice Department announced last November. All three have pleaded not guilty. An indictment alleged the three Democrats accepted payments, including $50,000 for the mayor's reelection campaign, from two people they thought were real estate developers looking to build a hotel near the city's downtown convention center. It turns out they worked for the FBI. 'Mississippi Musk': State Auditor's Moge Report Finds $400 Million In Government Waste "Residents have been, you know, told a narrative that should – that should give them every reason for us not to be here, right? And we're trying to make it clear that that's not who we are," Lumumba said Friday, according to the Associated Press. Read On The Fox News App Lumumba and Horhn faced off in a Democratic mayoral primary once before in 2017. In that race, Lumumba defeated Horhn outright, earning 55% of the vote. The winner of this race will advance to the June 3 general election. "People are ready for something different," Horhn recently said. "They are ready for change; they're ready for leadership; they're ready for better streets; they're ready for less crime; they're ready for more opportunities." Lumumba, son of the late Republic of New Afrika leader Chokwe Lumumba, released a video statement last year denying ever accepting a bribe and calling the indictment a "political prosecution" intended to "destroy [his] . . . reputation." Capital City Democratic Mayor, Prosecutor Indicted In Undercover Bribery Sting "Jackson residents, it is with great disappointment that I come before you. My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have, in fact, indicted me on bribery and related charges," he said. "There is no coincidence, and its timing being just before the upcoming mayoral race. My legal team will vigorously defend me against these charges. Again, while I am disappointed, I am not deterred, so I ask for your patience and your prayers during this process. Thank you." The three officials were in a bugged room on a yacht in Broward County, Florida, negotiating what they believed to be the developers' payments when they were caught, according to the local Mississippi Clarion-Ledger. One undercover agent reportedly asked the officials to move forward a deadline for an "SOQ," or statement of qualifications, required for the planned hotel development, and Lumumba reportedly went ahead and made a phone call. Another agent then handed the mayor five checks worth $50,000 total. After returning to Mississippi, the funds were reportedly deposited in the mayor's campaign account, according to the paper. Fox News Digitals' Charles Creitz and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Jackson, Mississippi, mayor facing federal bribery charges trails challenger in mayoral election results
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Jackson, Mississippi, mayor facing federal bribery charges trails challenger in mayoral election results
The federally indicted mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, is trailing his opponent in the city's Democratic primary runoff. Unofficial vote totals show state Sen. John Horhn leading two-term Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba 18,493 to 6,246, according to the city clerk's office. Although absentee votes have not yet been counted, Horhn declared victory in the race. Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks are facing charges of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud and money laundering, the Justice Department announced last November. All three have pleaded not guilty. An indictment alleged the three Democrats accepted payments, including $50,000 for the mayor's reelection campaign, from two people they thought were real estate developers looking to build a hotel near the city's downtown convention center. It turns out they worked for the FBI. "Residents have been, you know, told a narrative that should – that should give them every reason for us not to be here, right? And we're trying to make it clear that that's not who we are," Lumumba said Friday, according to the Associated Press. Lumumba and Horhn faced off in a Democratic mayoral primary once before in 2017. In that race, Lumumba defeated Horhn outright, earning 55% of the vote. The winner of this race will advance to the June 3 general election. "People are ready for something different," Horhn recently said. "They are ready for change; they're ready for leadership; they're ready for better streets; they're ready for less crime; they're ready for more opportunities." Lumumba, son of the late Republic of New Afrika leader Chokwe Lumumba, released a video statement last year denying ever accepting a bribe and calling the indictment a "political prosecution" intended to "destroy [his] . . . reputation." "Jackson residents, it is with great disappointment that I come before you. My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have, in fact, indicted me on bribery and related charges," he said. "There is no coincidence, and its timing being just before the upcoming mayoral race. My legal team will vigorously defend me against these charges. Again, while I am disappointed, I am not deterred, so I ask for your patience and your prayers during this process. Thank you." The three officials were in a bugged room on a yacht in Broward County, Florida, negotiating what they believed to be the developers' payments when they were caught, according to the local Mississippi Clarion-Ledger. One undercover agent reportedly asked the officials to move forward a deadline for an "SOQ," or statement of qualifications, required for the planned hotel development, and Lumumba reportedly went ahead and made a phone call. Another agent then handed the mayor five checks worth $50,000 total. After returning to Mississippi, the funds were reportedly deposited in the mayor's campaign account, according to the paper.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who won Jackson, MS, Democratic mayoral runoff? John Horhn, Chokwe Antar Lumumba election results are in
State Sen. John Horhn secured the Democratic nomination and is heavily favored to become Jackson's next mayor. Horhn, a 30-year veteran in the Mississippi Senate, finally found victory in his fourth run for mayor and it comes at a turbulent time. The city is locked in a tense standoff with the state, one he hopes to ease using relationships built in the Senate. If he wins June's general election — and no Democrat has lost in decades — Horhn faces the tough task of rebuilding trust with the city's shrinking population while taking on Jackson's well-publicized road, water and persistent crime issues. After polls closed Tuesday night, Horhn received nearly 18,000 votes. He decisively defeated incumbent Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba by more than 10,000 votes. Lumumba received only approximately 6,000 votes as of 9 p.m. Tuesday with 78 out of 80 precincts reporting. Lumumba just barely earned more votes than he did in the April 1 primary. Results are unofficial and still have to be certified by the Mississippi Secretary of State. As votes trickled in around 7:51 p.m., Horhn took a decisive lead that only became more commanding as the night wore on. By around 8:30 p.m., Horhn had built a nearly unsurmountable 6,300-vote lead. The runoff election mirrored the April 1 primaries, which saw Horhn dominate with 48.4% of the vote — just missing the 50%-plus-one needed to win outright. Speaking a few days after the primaries, Horhn told the Clarion Ledger he was "confident we will be victorious on April 22." Horhn celebrated with supporters at The Rookery in Downtown Jackson. As the race was called by media outlets, Lumumba had not arrived at his watch party at the Ice House. About 40 people enjoyed refreshments and talked with each other while instrumental versions of upbeat songs such as 'Celebrate!' played and results were displayed on the TV. For Lumumba, the runoff defeat signals the approaching end of his eight-year tenure as Jackson's mayor, which has been marked by notable achievements but also many setbacks in recent years. Accomplishments include, aiding the Jackson Public School District from a state takeover in 2017, two pay raises for police officers and firefighters, a revamped bus system, paving 144 roads, demolition of commercial structures and securing hundreds of millions in federal funds to repair Jackson's water system after a complete failure in 2022. But the recent setbacks include issues with garbage collection contracts, failures to the city's water systems and a federal indictment accusing him of participating in a wide-reaching bribery scandal he pleaded not guilty to in November 2024. For that, he will go on trial in the summer of 2026. On the Republican ticket, candidates Kenny Gee and Wilfred Beal faced off in the runoff. Gee only had secured 97 of the 153 Republican votes as of 9 p.m. but had a commanding lead toward the nomination, but either candidate faces an uphill climb come the general election as Jackson hasn't elected a Republican mayor in decades. Four Independent candidates will also be on the ballot come June, including candidates Rodney DePriest, Zach Servis, Lillie Stewart-Robinson and Kim Wade. Independents do not hold primaries and move straight to the general election. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS mayor primary runoff election results: John Horhn, Chokwe Lumumba
