Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba speaks during a protest at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, on Jan. 31, 2023. (AP/Rogelio V. Solis)
"Residents have been, you know, told a narrative that should – that should give them every reason for us not to be here, right? And we’re trying to make it clear that that’s not who we are," Lumumba said Friday, according to the Associated Press.
Lumumba and Horhn faced off in a Democratic mayoral primary once before in 2017. In that race, Lumumba defeated Horhn outright, earning 55% of the vote.
The winner of this race will advance to the June 3 general election.
"People are ready for something different," Horhn recently said. "They are ready for change; they’re ready for leadership; they’re ready for better streets; they’re ready for less crime; they’re ready for more opportunities."
Lumumba, son of the late Republic of New Afrika leader Chokwe Lumumba, released a video statement last year denying ever accepting a bribe and calling the indictment a "political prosecution" intended to "destroy [his] . . . reputation."
CAPITAL CITY DEMOCRATIC MAYOR, PROSECUTOR INDICTED IN UNDERCOVER BRIBERY STING
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba was indicted in November 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Another agent then handed the mayor five checks worth $50,000 total. After returning to Mississippi, the funds were reportedly deposited in the mayor's campaign account, according to the paper.
Fox News Digitals’ Charles Creitz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jackson-mississippi-mayor-facing-federal-bribery-charges-trails-challenger-mayoral-election-results