Jackson Free Press

Senate District 26 is a sprawling giant compared to neighboring Districts 27 and 28. It swaggers over the northern and western portions of the capital city and expands as far west as Bolton and Edwards. It's a largely rural district, but has urban pockets filled with people who love their politics.

Democratic Sen. John Horhn, 52, is trying to hang on to the district for another four years after 15 years of service. He said the district has profited under his guidance, and tosses off examples like a dog shaking off hair.

"I've got 15 years of proven leadership in getting projects done inside the district," Horhn said. "I created the TelCom Center. That's me. I authored the legislation creating the $6 million Farish Street loan program, the start-up money for JSU's TV 23 television station. I got my district $150,000 for infrastructure improvement at the industrial park in Bolton and another $75,000 for the Agricultural Center in Edwards. I authored the amendment that funded the first $500,000 from the state going to the National Civil Rights Museum for a feasibility study. I've been there. I've worked hard."

Horhn, a business development consultant and owner of Horhn and Associates, faces two challengers in the Democratic primaries in August: attorney Winston Thompson and retired educator Ineva May-Pittman.

Winston agreed that Horhn has brought development to his state, but added that little of that development is actually inside Horhn's home district.

"He's helped fund a lot of things, like the TelCom Center, the Metro Parkway, but none of that's in District 26. I would hope that he would be able to point to more things done in his own home," Thompson said. "It's fine to be involved in getting Nissan or the Parkway, but you have to be committed to District 26, and that's what he's most lacking."

Horhn disputes Thompson's claim, eagerly naming development exclusive to District 26, like the recent $10 million renovation of the Pocahontas Indian Mound on West Hwy. 49, and incentives for District 26 satellite businesses for the Nissan plant.

Thompson has been a figure in recent headlines, representing Jackson police officer Michael Recio for his role in the demolition of a duplex on Ridgeway Street with Mayor Frank Melton and Det. Marcus Wright. A jury failed to convict the three, despite the defendants never denying the incident. Thompson made news again when he asked the city to pay $20,000 for his representation of Recio.

Thompson said he is capable of working with the staunchly conservative Senate, despite disagreements that will inevitably occur. Thompson said he fully supports the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. He also unequivocally supports a woman's right to choose and champions the cigarette tax swap, and said he has no problem standing up against former tobacco lobbyist Gov. Haley Barbour in pushing the swap.

He points out that Horhn did not support the same tax swap, despite high approval for the legislation in Horhn's district.

"I'm not saying the grocery and tobacco tax must be married together, but I strongly feel our senator should have supported that," Thompson said, adding that Horhn's opposition to the tobacco-tax increase coincided with his taking $1,000 from a tobacco company.

"I don't think he should be accepting $1,000 from tobacco companies, particularly when he's voting on legislation that could affect tobacco companies," Thompson said.

Horhn admits that he accepted $1,000 in campaign cash from a tobacco company last December, but denies that the money had any impact on his opposition to the tax swap.

"I get contributions from people across the gamut. That doesn't mean I'll support their point of view. I voted against the tax swap last year because it risked taking money away from education and away from municipalities ... and created tort reform in that it would prevent anyone looking to sue a tobacco company that was not a part of (Mississippi's 1997 tobacco) settlement," Horhn said.

He added that he pushed to bring the swap up for a vote this year, even though Senate Finance Chairman Tommy Robertson refused to let the bill out of committee.

"I can't say I would have supported the bill itself until I saw the final version," he said. "You can't say that kind of thing until you see the final version of it."

Jackson resident Ineva May-Pittman did not return calls for this article.

The winner of the August primary will not face a Republican challenger in the November elections.

Previous Comments

ID

67899

Comment

I remember when Horhn first got elected because I was one of the college kids walking through the neighborhoods handing out campaign flyers. I think we got $10-$20 a week, and we always finished with a meal at McDonald's, courtesy of Mr. Horhn. His wife was a librarian at my high school, and she was very sweet.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-07-20T08:23:48-06:00

ID

67900

Comment

I live in District 26. I've only met Horhn once, but I like him. He's got my vote.

Author

Ex

Date

2007-07-20T21:43:38-06:00

ID

67901

Comment

John Horhn is my favorite member of the Mississippi State Senate right now. If he runs for statewide office, any statewide office, he gets my vote.

Author

Tom Head, Revised and Expanded Edition

Date

2007-07-20T21:46:40-06:00

ID

67902

Comment

Back in the day, he used to do this one-man show where he sung spirituals and recited poetry. He's pretty talented.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-07-21T18:52:49-06:00