JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Jackson’s new mayor could be sworn in as early as Wednesday.
Eight weeks after Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba died not even a year into his term, Councilman Tony Yarber will be his successor.
Complete, but officials, results from Tuesday’s election show Yarber received 54 percent of the votes to 46 percent for attorney Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the late mayor’s son.
Another special election will have to be set to fill Yarber’s seat on the council.
“It’s a vote for experience. It’s a vote for unity. It’s a vote for a candidate who has the ability to bring all the people together. A vote for a candidate who has the ability to do this job tomorrow,” Yarber said.
Yarber, 36, was in his second term on the city council.
“We will work together to stop crime. We will work together to end poverty,” Yarber said. “And to those who are at home watching us, we have not forgotten about you. We will take care of you.”
Lumumba told supporters he remains committed to building Jackson.
Addressing the running concerns that he was too young and inexperienced to be the next mayor, the 31-year-old Lumumba said, “the only thing we are too young or too progressive for is believing that our work stops with the vote. It most certainly does not.”
“We look forward to working with Tony and to ensuring that the people are involved in the process,” he said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.