Endorsements: Jackson City Council
The Jackson Free Press endorses the following candidates in contested council races.
Jackson Municipal Elections: The Candidates
With yard signs, flyers and debates galore, you might have lost track of which candidates are running for which offices. Here's a quick reference list.
Ward 1
Whitwell: Getting Things Going
Quentin Whitwell, 39, was born in Memphis and grew up in Southaven and Oxford. His father, Robert Q. Whitwell, served as the U.S. Attorney for northern Mississippi from 1985 through 1993. After graduating from Oxford High School, Whitwell earned his bachelor's degree from Ole Miss in 1995 and his law degree from the school in 1998.
Ward 2
Stacey Webb: Ready To Lead
Stacey Webb yearns to lead. That's why he's been trying to do it for six years.
A Political Family: Melvin Priester Jr.
Attorney Melvin Priester Jr. first dove into politics when he helped manage his father's campaign for Hinds County Court Judge in 2010.
Ward 3
Greer: Young and Accessible
Jackson's slate of candidates for city council could be characterized as a youth movement, and Pam Greer is right in the middle of it.
Williams: Part of the Solution
Patricia Williams' candidacy for Ward 3 comes from deep concern. As a life-long resident of the ward, she says it has gone downhill in recent years along with its young people, particularly young men.
Wilson: Engaging our Youth
Albert Wilson has spent his adult life trying to reach out to the next generation. Now he wants to reach them from the Jackson City Council.
Ward 4
Trimble: Engage the People
Trimble has been teaching social studies at Lanier High School for years. Now, he wants to apply that knowledge as councilman for Ward 4.
Austin: Ready to Lend an Ear
As a barber, it's Gerald Austin Sr.'s job to spark conversation with his customers, and he hears their problems loud and clear.
From Veteran to Councilman
De'Keither Stamps has worn many hats: farmer, Marine, Army patrolman, veteran's advocate and public speaker. This summer, he hopes to add Ward 4 Jackson city councilman to that list.
Wright: A Familiar Face
Charity Wright has dedicated her last 14 years to working in City Hall in the Jackson City Clerk's office. Now she is asking for a promotion—to city councilwoman.
Banks: Bringing Experience
When Barron Banks turned 18, he registered to vote. When he tried to exercise that right in 1964, it took federal marshals accompanying him to the polls.
Robert Thompson: Family Man
Robert Thompson is no stranger to comebacks. This May, he's hoping to rally from a 2005 defeat by Frank Bluntson to win the election for Jackson's Ward 4 City Council seat.
Paige: A Voice for the People
Kourtney Paige has spent his career working in radio. Now, he wants to lend his voice to the people of Jackson as city councilman for Ward 4.
Robinson: Education is Key
Dexter J. Robinson isn't looking for attention. As the 11th of 12 siblings, he learned to stop doing that years ago. What he is looking for is a platform, as city councilman for Ward 4, to fix the current problems he sees in his neck of the woods.
Lindsey: Man of Faith
Jerry Lindsey never thought about running for public office until, he said, God stepped in and changed his mind.
Ward 5
Bridges: Ready For Some New Faces
May "Fran" Bridges like to describe herself as a servant leader, and that's a pretty accurate title.
Alexander: Third Time a Charm?
When Charles Alexander first ran for the Jackson City Council Ward 5 seat in 2005, he was just 29 years old. Two defeats later, Alexander is back on the ballot and hoping the third time will be the charm in his attempt to unseat incumbent Councilman Charles Tillman.
Patterson: Southern Hospitality Values
Plavise "Patti" Patterson may have grown up in Michigan, but she became an adult in Jackson. Now she's trying to return the favor and help bring Jackson to a role of prominence as Ward 5 councilwoman.
Sanders: Never Too Young to Lead
It didn't take long for Corinthian Sanders, 20, to face adversity in his bid for Jackson's Ward 5 City Council seat.
Hometown Candidate
When Courtney Walker was 14, one of the local TV channels came to his central Jackson neighborhood and interviewed him. The focus of the story was crime, as it is with many stories on the tube about Jackson.
Charles Tillman: Speak Softly
Ward 5 Jackson City Councilman Charles Tillman's soft-spoken approach doesn't immediately give the impression of former middle-school principal.
Ward 6
Ward 7
Hardwick: ‘A Grassroots Approach’
In her first political race, Jackson City Council candidate June Hardwick says she wants to put power back in the hands of the people.
Barrett-Simon: Eyes on the Streets
Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon has fought for the Fortification Street renewal for years.
