Jackson, Mississippi, mayor facing federal bribery charges trails challenger in mayoral election results

The federally arraigned mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, is tracking his challenger in the city’s Democratic main overflow.

Informal vote overalls reveal state Sen. John Horhn leading two-term Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba 18,493 to 6,246, according to the city clerk’s workplace. Although absentee votes have actually not yet been counted, Horhn stated triumph in the race.

Lumumba, Hinds County District Lawyer Jody Owens II and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks are dealing with charges of conspiracy to dedicate federal program bribery, sincere services wire scams and cash laundering, the Justice Department revealed last November. All 3 have actually pleaded innocent.

An indictment declared the 3 Democrats accepted payments, consisting of $50,000 for the mayor’s reelection project, from 2 individuals they believed were realty designers wanting to construct a hotel near the city’s downtown convention center. It ends up they worked for the FBI.

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” Citizens have been, you understand, informed a story that should– that should provide every factor for us not to be here, right? And we’re attempting to make it clear that that’s not who we are,” Lumumba stated Friday, according to the Associated Press.

Lumumba and Horhn took on in a Democratic mayoral main as soon as before in 2017. Because race, Lumumba beat Horhn outright, making 55% of the vote.

The winner of this race will advance to the June 3 basic election.

” Individuals are all set for something various,” Horhn just recently stated. “They are all set for modification; they’re all set for management; they’re all set for much better streets; they’re all set for less criminal offense; they’re all set for more chances.”

Lumumba, boy of the late Republic of New Afrika leader Chokwe Lumumba, launched a video declaration in 2015 rejecting ever accepting a kickback and calling the indictment a “political prosecution” meant to “damage [his] … track record.”

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Mississippi State Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, has actually stated triumph in the Democratic main overflow. ( AP/Rogelio V. Solis)

” Jackson locals, it is with excellent frustration that I come before you. My legal group has actually notified me that federal district attorneys have, in truth, arraigned me on bribery and associated charges,” he stated.

” There is no coincidence, and its timing being prior to the upcoming mayoral race. My legal group will strongly protect me versus these charges. Once again, while I am dissatisfied, I am not hindered, so I request your perseverance and your prayers throughout this procedure. Thank you.”

The 3 authorities remained in a badgered space on a private yacht in Broward County, Florida, negotiating what they thought to be the designers’ payments when they were captured, according to the regional Mississippi Clarion-Ledger.

One undercover representative supposedly asked the authorities to progress a due date for an “SOQ,” or declaration of credentials, needed for the prepared hotel advancement, and Lumumba supposedly proceeded and made a call.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba was arraigned in November 2024. ( Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Another representative then handed the mayor 5 checks worth $50,000 overall. After going back to Mississippi, the funds were supposedly transferred in the mayor’s project account, according to the paper.

Fox News Digitals’ Charles Creitz and the Associated Press added to this report.