James Young (mayor)
| James Young | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi | |
|
Assumed office July 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Rayburn Waddell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 (age 60–61) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sheryl Young |
| Children | Shanda |
| Profession | Clergyman |
James A. Young (born 1956) is an American politician, who was elected mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi in May 2009. His election was especially noted as he is the first African-American mayor of the city, which was previously best known for the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner by members of the Ku Klux Klan in 1964.[1]
Young is a Pentecostal preacher and a former county supervisor who was 53 years old at the time of his election.[2][3] He defeated Rayburn Waddell, a white, three-term incumbent, by 46 votes in the Democratic primary. As there was no Republican challenger, the winner of the primary automatically became the city's next mayor.[1] He took office on July 3, 2009.
Jim Prince, publisher of the local The Neshoba Democrat newspaper, said: "Philadelphia will always be connected to what happened here in 1964, but the fact that Philadelphia, Mississippi, with its notorious past, could elect a black man as mayor, it might be time to quit picking on Philadelphia, Mississippi."[2]
Young's campaign staff credited Barack Obama's presidential campaign for increasing registration of black and young voters in Philadelphia.[1]
Young and his wife Sheryl have one daughter, Shanda.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Brown, Robbie (May 22, 2009). "First Black Mayor in City Known for Klan Killings". The New York Times.
- 1 2 Lavandera, Ed (May 22, 2009). "Black mayor of Mississippi town brings 'atomic bomb of change'". CNN.
- 1 2 Prince, Jim; et al. (May 20, 2009). "Young certified as winner in mayoral election, unseating incumbent Waddell". Philadelphia, Mississippi: Neshoba Democrat.