Horhn, DePriest outpace opponents in campaign finance days ahead of election

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – State Sen. John Horhn continues to lead the money race in his bid to be Jackson’s next mayor.

Campaign finance reports were due Tuesday, and three of the hopefuls still in the mayor’s race submitted reports.

Through May 27, Horhn received $116,586 in contributions, bringing his total to just over $350,000 for the 2025 election cycle.

[READ: Election Results: Horhn defeats Lumumba in Jackson mayoral Democratic runoff]

Independent challenger, Jackson businessman Rodney DePriest, brought in $89,325, after being bolstered by nearly a dozen donors who gave $5,000 or more.

Both have far outgained the two other independent candidates in the race – Zach Servis and Lillie Stewart-Robinson, who have brought in $2,290 and $1,391.40, respectively.

Horhn said in a statement that the contributions “are a clear sign that people and businesses are ready for leadership that can make our city thrive.”

“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support this campaign has received from every ward, especially from our city’s business community,” he wrote. “Out of 188 contributions, over 60 percent… this period has come from the local business community.”

According to reports, Horhn’s largest donors include Brian Johnson, the Hern Law Firm, Billy Wayne Long, and Landfair Solutions LLC, all of which contributed $5,000.

He also received a $2,500 gift from the Capitol Resources Political Action Committee. The contact for the PAC has an email address for Capitol Resources LLC, a Jackson-based lobbying and public affairs firm.

DePriest’s top donors include Rich Perspectives LLC, which gave $17,500 in in-kind donations, Hijack LLC, which gave $10,000, and MDMW Investments, which gave $6,000.

Hijack, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office states, is classified as a construction, mining, and forestry machinery business that leases equipment. Rich Perspectives, according to its website, is a “full-service marketing agency.”

Multiple other contributors gave $5,000. They include John Dinkins, Cody Bailey, Matt Wiggins, Matt Jones, Warren Speed, Jim Barksdale, Clay Hays, and Mollie Van Devender.

“We’re pleased with the support we’ve received from the community, financial and otherwise, and even more pleased that the vast majority of our contributors are long-term relationships,” DePriest said. “These are friends, business associates, college relationships, former customers of my construction company… It’s gratifying to see them step up and help.”

Other candidates meeting the May 27 deadline were Ward Seven Council hopefuls Kevin Parkinson and Ron Aldridge, Ward Five hopeful Ray McCants, Ward Two Councilwoman Tina Clay, and Ward Four Councilman Brian Grizzell.

In the Ward Seven race, records show Democrat Kevin Parkinson had brought in more than $46,000 in contributions, compared to $14,903 for independent Ron Aldridge. Republican Taylor Turcotte had not filed a report by the deadline.

Ward Two Councilwoman Tina Clay had raised over $9,000. Her opponent, Republican Bethany Williams-Sherif, had not filed.

Council Vice President Brian Grizzell had brought in $18,000 in contributions, his May 27 report states. After winning the Democratic primary, he is running unopposed in the general election.

Ward Three Councilman Kenneth Stokes, challenger Marques T. Jackson, Ward Five Councilman Vernon Hartley, and Ward Six Councilwoman-elect Lashia Brown-Thomas had not filed as of the morning of May 28, nor had Republican mayoral candidate Kenny Gee.

The general election is slated for Tuesday, June 3. In-person absentee voting ends at noon on May 31.

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