National Urban Fellows

News Articles

NUF ALUM AND BOARD MEMBER
HON. HARVEY JOHNSON WINS THIRD TERM
AS MAYOR OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

Harvey Johnson Jr.,will return to the office of the Mayor of the City of Jackson for a third term. In his acceptance speech, Johnson said, "We still need all hands on deck to move this city forward. There will be a place around the table for all segments of the community. Everyone is welcome around the table. But, in order to sit at the table, there is a price to be paid; a price of respect, a price of tolerance, and a price of good will."

“Realize that we are in this together and if you are committed to moving Jackson forward, then respect for all is needed at the table,“ Johnson added.

He continued, “We hope to get Jackson back on track. We hope to use the seeds that were planted to move the city ahead, but also make sure that you know that we have learned from those accomplishments and those shortcomings and that I am committed to become a better mayor," said Johnson.” Johnson attributed his victory to voters reviewing his “track record” and believing he could “hit the ground running” utilizing his experience to tackle key issues including crime, economic growth, infrastructure, transparent governance, services to seniors and youth development among others.

In early 2009, Johnson announced his candidacy for Mayor of Jackson, joining a field that would eventually grow to include 18 candidates. In this highly unusual campaign, although Johnson raised fewer dollars than two other candidates, he emerged as the front runner. On Tuesday, May 5th, 2009, Johnson led a slate of ten candidates in the Democratic primary securing 28% of the vote and moving into a runoff against a sitting City Councilman.

Two weeks later on May 19, after being outspent nearly four-to-one by the second place finisher; Johnson emerged victorious in the runoff election -- winning in five of seven wards by a whopping 63% of the vote. Overcoming the issue of voter fatigue – citizens were asked to vote in three separate elections in less than 30 days – Johnson utilized grassroots organizing skills and held “energize the vote” events up to Election Day. In a city known to vote heavily Democratic, Johnson handily defeated a Republican challenger and four independent candidates in the June 2nd general election capturing a decisive 85% of the electorate. Johnson's election has made him the city's first three-term mayor in nearly 20 years.

Johnson became Jackson's first African-American mayor, serving two terms from 1997-2005. During his tenure Johnson is credited with planting the seeds that led to a dramatic renaissance in the city, leading the charge for several projects to help revive a decaying downtown area. He spearheaded the passage of a controversial bond issue to build the Telecommunications Center and the new Convention Center Complex. Additionally, the Union Station Multi-modal Transportation Center, two new public libraries, two new fire stations and a host of other community and neighborhood improvement projects were completed on Johnson’s watch.

A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Johnson received a bachelor's degree in political science from Tennessee State University and master’s degree in political science from University of Cincinnati. He has done additional study toward a doctoral degree in public administration at the University of Southern California’s Washington Public Affairs Center. Johnson was awarded an honorary degree, Humane Letters, from Tougaloo College. His professional career includes the founding of the Mississippi Institute of Small Towns, a non-profit agency developed to assist small economically depressed towns with minority leadership with housing, community development and infrastructure needs.

His professional attributes include more than 25 years of experience in the field of planning and community development. He also has served as assistant professor of political science at Jackson State University, where he taught graduate level courses in public administration and directed the Center for Technology Transfer. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force, and he is a former member of the Mississippi State Tax Commission and the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Johnson, a Life Member of the NAACP, is also a member of American Legion Tyner-Ford Post 213, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and 100 Black Men. He serves on the Board of Directors of National Urban Fellows, Inc. and Gulf Coast Housing Partnership. He is a former member of the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click on a link below to read more...