Jackson Mayor Trails in Election Amid Federal Bribery Charges Drama

Jackson, Mississippi is seeing a mayoral race like no other, with its current mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, trailing far behind his challenger, state Senator John Horhn, in the Democratic primary runoff. According to the latest unofficial vote counts, Horhn has racked up 18,493 votes to Lumumba’s 6,246, though absentee ballots are still pending. Horhn has already declared victory and looks poised to advance to the general election on June 3.

Lumumba isn’t just fighting for votes—he’s also defending himself against a set of federal charges. Together with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II and City Councilman Aaron Banks, the mayor is facing accusations of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering. All three have pleaded not guilty and insist this is all just a big misunderstanding.

The Justice Department says the trio were caught accepting payments—$50,000 destined for Lumumba’s reelection campaign—from individuals they believed were real estate developers eager to build a hotel downtown. The twist? Those supposed developers were actually undercover FBI agents. If you thought political dramas couldn’t get any juicier, try picturing city officials negotiating on a bugged yacht in Florida, which is exactly where the deal went down.

After one agent requested the mayor expedite a key deadline for the hotel project, Lumumba reportedly made a phone call to help things along. Moments later, he received five checks totaling $50,000, which later found their way into his campaign account.

Reacting to the charges, Lumumba released a statement last year, denying any wrongdoing and calling the indictment a "political prosecution" out to wreck his reputation. He told residents he was "disappointed but not deterred," asking for patience and prayers as his legal team mounts a defense. Lumumba has also spoken out about the narrative being spun around the case, insisting, "That’s not who we are."

Horhn, meanwhile, is capitalizing on the public’s appetite for change, saying, "People are ready for something different. They’re ready for leadership, better streets, less crime, and more opportunities." It’s not their first showdown—back in 2017, Lumumba bested Horhn in the Democratic primary with a clear majority.

As the dust settles from this dramatic runoff, the winning candidate will move forward to the general election. But with federal agents, yachts, and $50,000 checks in play, Jackson’s mayoral saga is anything but ordinary.