John Horhn was sworn in as mayor of Jackson on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, pledging to confront the city’s most pressing challenges and restore a sense of hope and unity to Mississippi’s capital. The inauguration ceremony, held at the convention center, drew a diverse crowd of city officials, community leaders, and residents eager for a new era of leadership.
Horhn called on the county, state and federal leaders to work with him to revitalize Jackson. On the podium with Horhn were governor Tate Reeves, lieutenant governor Delbert Hosemann, from mayor Kane Ditto, U. S. Representative Bennie Thompson and a host of other local, state and federal leaders.
The event featured several speeches including from Horhn, former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson, and former Hinds County Circuit Judge Robert Gibbs, each reflecting on Jackson’s past, present, and the promise of its future. The speakers struck themes of resilience, collaboration, and the urgent need to address the city’s deep-rooted issues, from economic hardship to public safety.
A City at a Crossroads
Horhn, a longtime public servant and former state senator, took the podium with a call to action rooted in empathy for Jackson’s struggling families. “There are too many people, especially amongst the young in our community, who have no hope. They have no hope that tomorrow’s going to be better than today. This is the way it is. I just got to accept it and try to get through,” Horhn said.
Horhn described a city where too many are “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” forced to choose between food and medicine, or whether to keep a roof over their heads. “We have got to increase the level of opportunity, the level of training options for folks, and create an environment where our people can flourish. That is our challenge in Jackson, Mississippi, right now,” Horhn said.
Horhn’s address emphasized the need for incremental, sustained improvement. “Jackson is ready to do better every day, not just tomorrow and then skip off the day out, but make every day a little bit better than the day before. And if we do that, there is no stopping us. Jackson is ready. The time is now,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson, the first black justice to serve on the state’s highest court, provided historical context for the day’s significance. Anderson, who was born and raised in Jackson, reflected on the city’s transformation from segregation to a more inclusive community. “There is nobody in this room who’s experienced Jackson as I have. I was born on Dolphin Street, went to the public schools, graduated from Jimmy Hill High School,” Anderson recounted, noting his decades of legal and civic service.
He recalled the early days of integration, when the city’s first black police officers and school bus drivers broke barriers but still faced severe restrictions. “I knew the first black police officer, Joe Lane. Joe’s beat was Farish Street. He didn’t have a car and he couldn’t arrest white people. I knew the first black fireman, Chief Brown. I knew the first black school bus driver, Charles Jones," Anderson said, underscoring the progress made and the work still to be done.
Anderson praised Horhn’s legislative achievements, including his role in securing $90 million for the state’s Civil Rights Museum in downtown Jackson and his advocacy in the campaign to change the Mississippi state flag, which for generations bore the Confederate emblem. “That flag had a different meaning to me than probably anybody else. I was a lawyer for 58 years. Fifteen of those years I was a judge, but every time I walked into a courtroom, that flag said something to me, that I wasn’t welcome,” Anderson said, thanking Horhn for his leadership in the Senate over the past 30 years.
A Call for Unity and Service
Former Hinds County Circuit Judge Robert Gibbs closed the ceremony with a message of unity and shared responsibility. Addressing the mayor, council members, and assembled guests, Gibbs said, “This ceremony has been inspirational. If you were here this morning for the prayer service, you know that we are off to a great start, and I want to join the chorus of well-wishers in extending my congratulations to Mayor Horhn, to our new council members, and to the community. We are grateful for your commitment to serve and to provide leadership.
Gibbs acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing mayor and council, while emphasizing that “today, however, begins a new chapter in this city’s journey.” He cited former Mayor Kane Ditto’s maxim: “Working together, we will all win,” and urged the new administration to serve with “wisdom, integrity, and dedication."
Gibbs called on the community to support the new leadership, highlighting the importance of engagement, listening, and collaboration. “The challenges ahead may be significant, and we’ve said that many times. Working together, we can overcome any challenges that we have. The mayor and council members are encouraged to engage with citizens, listen to their concerns, and to work collaboratively to build a stronger and more viable city. We, the community leaders and citizens, pledge our support for these efforts,” Gibbs said.
He also recognized the work of the Inauguration Committee, chaired by Dr. Juanita Sims Doty, and thanked the families of the mayor and council members for their sacrifices in the service of the city.
Facing Challenges Head-On
The speeches collectively acknowledged the steep hurdles facing Jackson. Persistent poverty, crime, and infrastructure woes have long plagued the city, and Horhn did not shy away from these realities. Instead, he framed them as opportunities for collective action and renewal. “We have got to change that attitude… and provide hope. And with that hope will come opportunity. With that hope will come the sense that things are going to get better,” Horhn said.
Anderson’s remarks served as a reminder of the city’s resilience and capacity for transformation. “I feel so good about my city and what Congress is going to do to help us from Washington,” he said, expressing optimism about the future and the potential for federal support to bolster local efforts.
Gibbs, too, struck an optimistic note, urging attendees to leave the ceremony “with a shared sense of purpose, a renewed commitment to work together for the betterment of our community.” He concluded, “Jackson is ready, and the time is now."
A Vision for the Future
Horhn’s vision for Jackson is one of incremental, inclusive progress. He called on every sector of the community—faith leaders, parents, teachers, and mentors—to help “turn around that mindset” of resignation and hopelessness that has taken root among too many of the city’s young people.
He pledged to work “with somebody who’s going to work with them,” signaling a collaborative approach to governance. “If we do that, there is no stopping us,” Horhn said, promising to make “every day a little bit better than the day before” for all Jacksonians.
This article was written with the assistance of Perplexity AI.
