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John Horhn

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John Horhn
Mayor-elect of Jackson, Mississippi
Assuming office
July 1, 2025
SucceedingChokwe Antar Lumumba
Member of the Mississippi Senate
from the 26th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 1993
Preceded byCy Rosenblatt
Personal details
Born (1955-02-08) February 8, 1955 (age 70)
Goodman, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCentre College (BA)

John A. Horhn (born February 8, 1955) is an American politician who is mayor-elect of Jackson, Mississippi. He has served in the Mississippi State Senate from the 26th district since 1993.[1][2] He is a Democrat. He served as state tourism director from 1989 to 1992.[3]

He was the Democratic nominee in the 2025 Jackson mayoral election, which he would go on to win after securing over 67% of the vote.[4][5]

Early life and education

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Horhn was born on February 8, 1955, in Goodman, Mississippi.[1] His father Charlie was a labor organizer with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and his mother Willistene was a public school cafeteria worker.[6][7] His family moved to Jackson when he was three weeks old.[7] He first grew up in Midtown before moving to Georgetown; he later moved to Virden, where he spent much of his formative years.[7] He attended Morrison Elementary School, serving as president of his class.[7] He graduated from the Jackson Public School system.[8]

He received a bachelor of arts in English and dramatic arts from Centre College in 1977 and later served as a trustee for the college.[8][9] He studied at Jackson State University and Duke University through their leadership programs.[10]

Career

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Horhn worked as a job developer for the A. Philip Randolph Institute from 1978 to 1980. He then worked as the executive director for the Mississippi Cultural Arts Coalition from 1980 to 1981. Afterward, he joined the Mississippi Arts Commission as a program manager from 1981 to 1985. He became the state film commissioner in 1985 and served in that position until 1988. Starting in 1988, he worked under Governor Ray Mabus as the federal state programs director. In 1989, he became Mississippi's tourism director, holding that position until 1992.[3][11]

He organized the Mississippi Blues Commission in 1991 to map important blues sites in Mississippi, and later co-sponsored legislation in 2004 to make it official in state law. Since 2011, Horhn has served as vice chairman of the Mississippi Blues Foundation, an organization created by the commission.[3][12]

State senator

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A Democrat, Horhn has served as a state senator since 1993, representing parts of Hinds and Madison counties.[1] In the Mississippi State Senate, he served as chair of the Economic Development Committee.[3][6]

Mayor of Jackson election campaigns

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2009

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In January 2009, Horhn announced his candidacy for the 2009 Jackson mayoral election and focused his campaign on economic development, infrastructure, crime, and other issues.[10] He lost in the Democratic primary, garnering around 1,800 votes.[13]

2014

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On March 12, 2014, Horhn announced his candidacy for the 2014 Jackson mayoral election.[14] He touted his experience as a state senator and sought the mayorship to improve city services.[14] He lost in the Democratic primary.[15]

2017

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In January 2017, Horhn announced his candidacy for the 2017 Jackson mayoral election.[16] On the campaign, he focused on his accomplishments in the state senate and the relationships he built. His campaign was considered more successful compared to his 2009 and 2014 runs.[17] However, he faced allegations of being the "white mayoral candidate" because of his support in wards 1 and 7.[17] While he received more votes than his prior campaigns and came second among all candidates, he lost in the Democratic primary to Chokwe Antar Lumumba.[18]

2025

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In October 2024, Horhn announced his candidacy for the 2025 Jackson mayoral election, with priorities focused on addressing abandoned properties, increasing economic development, and staking out a plan for Jackson's future.[19]

In the first round of the Democratic primary on April 1, 2025, Horhn securing 48.4% of the vote.[20] He progressed to the Democratic runoff against Chokwe Antar Lumumba and won in a landslide victory, with around 74% of the vote.[21] In the June 3, 2025, general election, Horhn faced off against several other candidates and was elected with over 67% of the vote.[4]

Personal life

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Horhn is married and has two children. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.[1]

In 2013, he was the victim of an armed robbery at his home in Jackson.[22] That same year, he was arrested for driving under the influence; he pleaded no contest and was fined.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "John Horhn". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "John Horhn". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Cardon, Dustin (January 3, 2017). "Sen. John Horhn". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Drape, Charlie (June 4, 2025). "State Sen. John Horhn is Jackson's next mayor, with dominating win". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  5. ^ Muhammad, Shaunicy; Pittman, Ashton (April 22, 2025). "John Horhn Wins Jackson Mayor Primary Runoff, Ousting Incumbent Chokwe A. Lumumba". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Wolfe, Anna (June 3, 2025). "Horhn wins: Mayoral election supports 'Jackson is ready' for longtime senator to lead". Mississippi Today. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Orey, D'Andra (2016). An Oral History with John Horhn (PDF). Jackson State University.
  8. ^ a b "John Horhn". WLBT. April 11, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  9. ^ "John Horn 1977". Centre College. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Ladd, Donna (January 1, 2009). "Sen. John Horhn to Announce Run for Mayor Friday". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  11. ^ "About John Horhn". Horhn for Mayor 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "The Mississippi Blues Trail - Foundation Members". The Mississippi Blues Trail. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  13. ^ Muhammad, Shaunicy (April 24, 2025). "Horhn Defeats Lumumba in Runoff Election for Mayor of Jackson". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Ferretti, Haley (April 2, 2014). "Candidate Profile: John Horhn". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  15. ^ Williams, Angela (April 23, 2014). "Yarber wins election to become Jackson's new mayor". WAPT. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  16. ^ Summers, Jr., Tim (January 24, 2017). "John Horhn Promises 'Results' in Jackson Mayoral Announcement". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Wolfe, Anna (April 24, 2017). "John Horhn campaign touts relationships, accomplishments". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  18. ^ Election Certification (PDF). Mississippi Secretary of State. May 10, 2017.
  19. ^ Gavin, Verlecia (October 3, 2024). "Senator John Horhn announces bid for Jackson mayor". WLBT. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  20. ^ Pickens, Erin (April 2, 2025). "2025 primary election results: Jackson mayor". WAPT. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  21. ^ Pittman, Shaunicy Muhammad, Ashton (April 23, 2025). "Horhn Defeats Lumumba in Democratic Primary for Jackson Mayor". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 4, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Mississippi state senator robbed at gunpoint". WLBT. June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  23. ^ Gates, Jimmie E. (December 8, 2014). "Sen. John Horhn pleads no contest to DUI". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
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