JACKSON — Today is the municipal primary run-off that will determine whether Rev. Ernest Slaughter or Rev. Aaron Banks will become the new Ward 6 city councilman, replacing Tyrone Hendrix, who left to take a position with the Mississippi Association of Educators.
Two weeks ago, on May 2, Banks and Slaughter became the only candidates competing in the May 16 run-off. The two men earned a total of 56.07 percent of the vote during the primaries. Banks took 1,275 votes, or 32.79 percent, and Slaughter drew 905, equaling 23.28 percent.
Banks is pastor of the Glory Empowerment Center, and Slaughter heads the New Canney Creek M.B. Church, both in Jackson.
Slaughter will host a watch party at the New Canney Creek M.B. Church tonight at 7 p.m. at 815 McClure Road in Jackson.
Banks has failed to respond to previous emails and does not have a phone number on his church or campaign website.
Polls opened today at 7 a.m. and will close tonight at 7 p.m. Ward 6 residents are encouraged to go vote.
Read more about the 2017 city elections, and a candidate questionnaire from Slaughter, at jacksonfreepress.com/election2017. Banks did not return his JFP candidate questionnaire.
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.