'Nothing has changed': What Lumumba said about running for a third term following indictment
Following his indictment on multiple federal charges and subsequent not guilty plea, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said he still plans on running for reelection in 2025.
"Nothing has changed, that's what I will confirmed," Lumumba said during a Monday press conference.
The mayor confirmed what his sister, Rukia, told reporters following his court hearing. Rukia emphatically defended her brother outside of the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse on Nov. 7 and said Lumumba plans to seek a third term. His second term ends on July 1, 2025.
"We are determined and undeterred," Rukia said. "He is going to run for mayor; he will continue to work as mayor, and he will be re-elected. We will continue that campaign. He has done great things for Jackson, and so he will continue to do that work. We ask for your continued support and your prayers. We understand that this is just an attack, it is an attack, and it is an attempt to assassinate his character to prevent his re-election. But we will continue to do the good work that he has always done, and all of us that support him will be by his side."
Before news of his indictment was revealed, Lumumba announced multiple times that he would be running for a third term.
Further, Lumumba declined to answer questions about his failure to file annual campaign finance reports for the last three years.
"That is associated with this case, so I will not speak to it," Lumumba said on Monday.
The mayor spoke on the topic briefly during an Oct. 21 press conference, saying his failure to file finance reports is "not uncustomary for my campaign."
More on bribery scandal: FBI says Lumumba accepted $50K in envelope while on yacht near Miami, partied with DA Owens
Background on bribery scandal
Lumumba was indicted on Nov. 7, along with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks. U.S. prosecutors allege, in part, that Owens, and his associate, Sherik Marve' Smith, facilitated at least $80,000 in bribes to Lumumba, Banks and former Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee.
The bribes were in exchange for Lumumba, Banks and Lee taking official action that would benefit two Nashville real estate developers who were interested in investing in the city's long sought-after convention center hotel. Those Nashville "developers" ended up being undercover FBI agents.
A look at the federal charges: Explaining the federal charges against Lumumba, Banks and Owens
Specifically, Lumumba allegedly directed a city employee to shorten a deadline that would benefit the undercover agents in their pursuit of the convention center hotel development. Banks and Lee allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for voting in favor of the agents for the development.
Lumumba, Owens and Banks all pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. A trial has been set for Jan. 6, 2025.
DA Owens' involvement in scandal: See allegations against Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens as he pleads not guilty
Lee and Smith both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in August and October, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Following indictment, will Jackson MS mayor run for reelection in 2025?