JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Seven candidates are on the ballot, hoping to be elected to the seat that used to be held by Jackson Mayor John Horhn.

Jermaine Cooley is running for the District 26 seat, which represents parts of Hinds and Madison counties.

“I’m running for this seat primarily to bring jobs and economic options to the city, give people good employment and opportunity, so that they can not only provide for themselves, but for their families as well,” he said.

Cooley, a chemist, has worked at Ergon for 13 years. He said his role has allowed him to travel the world and see what works for other cities when it comes to jobs and businesses.

“What the places have done right. There’s three things mainly that they have in common, hard on crime, invest heavily in in education, but then have a business friendly environment,” Cooley stated.

School choice is expected to be a hot topic during the 2026 Legislative Session. There’s a push inside the Mississippi State Capitol to give parents the freedom to choose where their kids go to schools.

“From the Senate side, I know that the Lt. Governor has said that there will not be a public to private option in the Senate bill. I think with the right guidelines and rails in place, a public-to-public school option expansion is definitely worth taking a look at,” Cooley said.

He said making sure state employees and retirees receive their benefits is another priority.

Election Day is on November 4, 2025.