Senator John Horhn announces his candidacy for mayor of Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Surrounded by friends and family Thursday afternoon, Senator John Horhn announced he will run for Jackson Mayor in the 2025 election.

A catchphrase he has used repeatedly is “Jackson is ready.”

“The people of Jackson are ready for change and they are looking to lean on anyone who can provide it,” Horhn said.

This is not the first time that Senator John Horhn has applied for this position.

“Almost every day, two or three people would say, ‘Hey, I think it’s your turn.’ You need to think about running,” and I said, “Oh no. Been there, done that. We’re not going to do it.

The district 26 senator previously ran in 2017, where he lost to current mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.

Many people stood with Horhn during his announcement, including other state lawmakers.

“What we need now is a leader who sees not only the problems but also the possibilities, and John Horhn is that leader,” said Rep. Zakiya Summers.

“I’m committing to Jackson and I’m telling you that Jackson needs my tax money. I live here. I represent here, and I stay here, and I stay here with John Horhn who will be my next mayor,” said Rep. Earle Banks.

If elected, the first item on Horhn’s agenda will be developing a plan for the capital’s future.

“He who doesn’t plan plans to fail… We haven’t had a plan in over 25 years, so that will be the first thing to do because we have learned where we are going,” he said. declared.

He also plans to tackle the number of abandoned properties.

“We have to clean up this city. It’s horrible. It’s embarrassing,” Horhn said. “Dilapidation, blight and grass cutting. We need to clean this place up to make it more attractive to the people who live here and to those we might attract here.

Bridging the gap between city and state, as well as economic development and improving communication between city government and residents are other areas of focus.

“There’s just no urgency on the part of city leadership to make the repairs that are necessary, to develop the relationships and get them to the point where we can be successful,” Horhn said. “We have to fight when we are in the Legislature trying to get resources for the City of Jackson, because legislative leaders and our Republican colleagues have no confidence in the City of Jackson.”

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