Mississippi College School of Law Hosts Jackson Mayoral Forum

Jackson’s streets, crime and the city’s economic development plans will likely be some of the key issues tackled when voters size up mayoral prospects at a forum at the Mississippi College School of Law.

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. and his political challengers are invited to the Student Center Auditorium on the downtown Jackson campus to discuss their campaigns and take questions at the April 30 event. Doors open that Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.

WAPT-TV 16 in Jackson, The “Clarion-Ledger” and the Mississippi League of Women Voters are teaming up to sponsor the 90-minute forum beginning at 7 p.m. The program will be broadcast live by WAPT. The event at the law school on East Griffith Street is open to the public.

The forum is scheduled just days before the May 7 party primaries in municipal elections in Jackson and other cities around the Magnolia State.

“We at MC Law are pleased to provide the venue for this debate,” said MC Law Dean Jim Rosenblatt. “It is helpful to voters to have as much information as possible before casting their ballots,” he said.

“This debate will provide another type of information and an opportunity to observe the candidates that will provide a perspective not available from campaign signs and press releases,” Rosenblatt added.

In past years, the MC School of Law has hosted similar political forums including statewide races for the U.S. Senate and for candidates running for governor.

Moderators at Tuesday’s televised program will be Stephanie Maxwell, a WAPT-16 anchor, and Clarion-Ledger metro editor Sam Hall.

Candidates confirmed for the event as of Thursday include Johnson, a Democrat who’s seeking re-election, Ward 2 councilman Chokwe Lumumba, Ward 4 Councilman Frank Bluntson, businessman Jonathan Lee and Regina Quinn, a former Jackson State University attorney. There are nine candidates in the race.

Other topics that could surface include the city’s Farish Street project and the proposed domed sports stadium at Jackson State.

For more information, contact Dana Terry, director of communications at the Mississippi College School of Law at 601.925.7148 or dterry@mc.edu.