‘A pivotal moment for the City of Jackson’ 

By Alice Thomas-Tisdale

JA Publisher Emerita

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, former state senator John Horhn was officially sworn in as the 54th mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, during a full day of celebration and unity at the Jackson Convention Complex. Under the theme “Jackson is Ready…The Time Is Now,” the city came together for a powerful Oath of Office Ceremony. 

Mayor Horhn was sworn in by Judge James E. Graves Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, as his wife Lydia Gail Horhn, their children Charla Jade and John Sarig Horhn, and father Charlie Horhn looked on with profound pride. 

Special guests included Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Governor Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, Honorable Reuben V. Anderson, former mayor Kane Ditto, and the legendary Mississippi Mass Choir. 

At an earlier prayer breakfast, several area ministers offered prayers of hope for the city, its leadership, and citizenry. Praying specifically for Mayor Horhn was charged to Rev. Reginald M. Buckley, President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi and Senior Pastor of Cade Chapel MBC. 

In his inaugural address, Mayor Horhn thanked Congressman Thompson for his heroic leadership; his father, Charlie Horhn, for his unwavering dedication to justice; his family for their unconditional love and support; and  the citizens of Jackson for giving him an opportunity to do more for his beloved city. Reinforcing that hope was the all-inspiring Landon Price, who sang both the National Anthem and Black National Anthem. 

Also sworn in were members of the new Jackson City Council, representing all seven wards and ushering in a renewed commitment to leadership and service. The new city council is comprised of Ashby Foote (Ward 1), Montyne “Tina” Clay (Ward 2), Kenneth I. Stokes (Ward 3), Brian Grizzell (Ward 4), Vernon Hartley (Ward 5), Lashia Brown-Thomas (Ward 6), and Kevin Parkinson (Ward 7). 

First Lady Lydia Gail Horhn and Mrs. Donna Barksdale served as honorary chairs for the inaugural festivities; Dr. Juanita Sims Doty, chair; and The Honorable Mike Espy, Betsy Bradley, and The Honorable Ermea J. Russell, co-chairs. 

The day culminated with a gala with all the glitz and glamour seemingly designed to signal that today was a better day than yesterday in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, something upon which Mayor Horhn hopes to build. 

(Advocate photo: Joshua Martin)