Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies has announced he will not be seeking another term.
After serving as the Mayor of Jackson for nearly four years, Dobies made the announcement Thursday that he will not be seeking reelection. Dobies says he’s ready to help elect the city’s first person of color for the position. His term will last until the end of this year.
“I look forward to helping to elect a person of color as mayor so that, you know, young boys and girls across our city in different neighborhoods can look at our city's highest office and see someone who looks like them," he said.
In a letter to supporters, Dobies said he’s proud of the work he’s been able to do in rebuilding the city’s economy and creating a culture of entrepreneurship.
“Creating the social change and movements necessary to make sure that Jackson is a place that people of all walks of life can call home, and a great place to live work and play," he said.
During his time as mayor, Dobies expanded Jackson’s nondiscrimination ordinance to prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ community and helped establish the city’s first racial equity commission.