Jackson Jambalaya

We need some change in the Mayors office over here. I'm not sure Fred is it. There are a lot of players in Rankin County politics that will be in quite the pickle on this one. They don't really like Butch, but also don't really like Fred. I'm curious as to why Fred sees the need to leave the state level position.

Maybe as mayor, he can direct the police department to actually get these squatted trucks off the road. You know, from the bill he authored.

It's a safe play. He doesn't have to give up his seat to run for Mayor.

Typical politician playing it safe to run for another office with a bigger paycheck but not having to risk losing his current elected office. This guy is the perfect example of a career politician. All that time in the legislature and hasn't accomplished anything.

According to my research the mayor of Brandon, Mississippi is not a full-time position: Some mayors have held other jobs.
Why not serve the part time position of legislator simultaneously?

If he will promise not to use a power. Point I will vote for him

What a Hobson's Choice. Either way Brandon ends up with a career politician. The current one is an utter back-stabbing, insufferable @$$hole that no one wants to work under for long. The challenger is not an @$$hole, but hasn't shown much in the way of competency and has a reputation for being a quitter. Perhaps, if Fred pulls off a victory, the city can attract and keep quality people around for more than 1 or 2 years.

From what he wrote about his decision to run for mayor of Brandon it sounds like he’s a damned high and mighty muckity-muck in the legislature. I vote, then, we keep him right where he is.

I dislike Butch Lee for the horrible way he treated several long time employees at the City of Brandon once he was elected. Plus, he's way too proficient in spending other people's money. Check the City's debt obligations.

The problem with local elections like this, if you never have to deal with the mayor's office for anything you don't care who is in charge. Once you have to deal with them on something then you find out how crazy it is

9:40 AM, one may not serve as both a state legislator and a mayor simultaneously. The state's Constitution requires "separation of powers" that are exercisable as "core functions." If Fred wins the mayoral election, his legislative position will immediately become "vacant" upon his taking the Oath of Office as Mayor and his seat will have to be filled by way of a special election.

9:40am, he makes $115,000. Not bad if your research is correct.

You can’t serve in an Executive role and the Legislative role at the same time. You could be an Alderman and Legislator, but not Mayor and Legislator.

Fred is respected at the Capitol. He does his job. Not everybody at the Capitol beats a drum like that nutjob Holland did.

Shanks is serving his 2nd term. BFD. His reference to "8th session" is a trick to make you think he's been there longer than he has.

"Brandon First", how creative.

Mr. Big Gub'mint Fred! Remember when republicans were the small government, less regulation party? Pepperidge Farms remembers.

I am definitely not a Butch fan, though I can't ignore some accomplishments under his leadership, but there is much left on the table to do. Maybe Fred will have more influence getting state roads maintained than Butch. HWY 80 into downtown is terrible and the HWY 18 - I-20 interchange needs a serious, long overdue reconfig. Also a bridge over the railroad on 18 would eliminate mile long daily backups.
I think this job will be more demanding than state representative.
I think it's time for fresh blood. Not sure if Fred is the man. He has some convincing to do. Hopefully he will stay in his lane better than Butch and keep his nose out of staffing issues in other departments.

Indicative of level of intellect. No thanks.

Actually, he's totally correct unless you didn't know that state legislators are elected in four year terms and each session is very important...what did you want to hear him say, he's served 8 years?

No one deserves to hold a seat if the electorate feels the to primary or challenge the incumbent. It should be fair game, fight for your position and move on

I don't care much for Butch, but a guy that dresses in a knit short sleeve shirt while wearing an insulated vest just doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies just saying.

This one will be interesting to watch. There are a lot of people in 39042 that aren't real fond of Fred, but there are probably more that can't F'ing stand Butch Lee and his little posse.

"a guy that dresses in a knit short sleeve shirt while wearing an insulated vest just doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies"

Yeah, it just kind of screams "redneck." Fortunately for him, that's not a disqualifier for mayor Brandon.

Why the redacted phone number?

I reside in flowood (since 2017) But lived in Jackson from 1950!!! and well remember a great Jxn City Comms. named Doug Shanks (at that time there was Mayor and 2, or maybe 3... city Comms.) is this his Son ? Doug lived off Terry Rd in the Alta Woods area near were Woody Asap lived.

Fred got after the Carolina squatter trucks last session. Now he's after criminal gonads. The guy knows his voter base well, doesn't he?

3:40. Yes

Let's Go Brandon!

I have dealt with Butch on business involving the city. My experience was he was a no nonsense guy who was interested in what was best for the city.

Lots of opinions on Butch, but Brandon could do much worse. Recently as Christmas Eve, I saw he was at the site of a pipe burst on HWY 80 beside Burgers and Blues. It was approximately 12:45AM. I see people’s arguments about micromanager and running the city like the CEO of a business, , but in todays political environment it’s nice to hands on politicians.

Butch Lee is a snake oil salesman. He will look you in the eye smiling the entire time he is lying to you. He has mismanaged the Police Dept and every other city department Butch is all about himself He has no respect for city employees and has destroyed the police department more than once running off good officers. There is a lot wrong with the way the city is being run by Butch. Hopefully this election will expose all of the issues.

Butch is a real humanitarian. My black lab was hit by a car when Butch just happened to be driving by. He stopped and actually gave my lab mouth-to-mouth resusitation and she survived.

Another time I saw him rescue a cat stuck in a tree.

It could happen.

@3:40 PM: As of the late 50’s and early 60’s I remember Jackson had 2 city commissioners - Tom Marshall and Durwood Boyles

He better start shaking Golden Retrievers from both ends to pay for "all the nice things" he's had built.

Claims are made above that Freddie has done a good job in the legislature. He ran and got elected and reelected on his daddy's name. He did get us the Lift-Truck bill that Tater signed. And he has the support of the Niknar breakfast club and is Michael Guest's cousin...so, damn, how can the boy lose?

Just a couple of things to remember. Fred was already elected alderman once and resigned after less than 6 months because he did not enjoy hearing citizens concerns. Why would he want to be mayor ? It’s a lot more headache.

This will not be a pretty race. Will get ugly soon enough.