Thursday, Jan. 2, was the first official day to qualify for the 2025 Municipal Elections across Mississippi. The final day for qualifying is Friday, Jan. 31.

Up for election in Brookhaven are the offices of mayor, and all seats on the Board of Aldermen.

As determined by final actions of the Board and Mayor Joe Cox in 2024, the Chief of Police posi-tion is now an appointed, rather than elected, one.

On Thursday, Mayor Cox announced his intentions to seek re-election. The Republican mayor stated, “After prayerful consideration, along with the support of family and friends, I am announcing my official candidacy for re-election as Mayor of Brookhaven. It has been a privilege to serve as your mayor since 2013. During that time, great accomplishments have been made to meet the needs of each ward and our city as a whole.”

Alderman-at-large Don Underwood also announced his intent on social media: “I’m gonna run for reelection cause the city is such a mess but maybe I can keep chipping away at getting us a more secure town. We’ve made great strides in the last 3 ½ years but more to be done.”

Likewise, Ward 4 Alderman Jeff Henning posted, “I just signed the paperwork to run again for Alderman Ward 4. It has been my pleasure to represent Ward 4 for the past 3-1/2 years. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.”

Ward 1 Alderman James Magee Jr. said, “I’m announcing my official candidacy for re-election as Ward 1 Alderman. During the past 3 ½ years we have made great strides resolving multiple infra-structure needs in the ward and our city as a whole. I’m committed and focused to continue doing the people’s work while making this great city a better place all citizens can be proud to call home. Allow my dedication and works to continue moving the city forward with your support and vote.”

Ward 6 Alderman Andre’ Spiller made the following statement on his bid for re-election: 

I am running for re-election as Alderman of Ward 6. I feel compelled to stay involved by using my experience and knowledge to continue my vision of growth. Also, the prosperity to help my neighbors and the City I love. We can always disagree on particular issues but still be united in purpose as a Board and as a community working together for the betterment of our beloved City.

The top issues I see going forward for the City of Brookhaven are transparency, public safety, economic growth and rebuilding trust in our community. As I’ve been meeting with Citizens, local officials, and business owners, public safety is the number one concern. I am pro-police, anti-crime! I will continue working to increase public safety staffing, increase pay disparity and ensure we have properly trained personnel for the well-being of all Brookhaven residents. 

Sustaining our economic growth is needed to ensure we have the proper infrastructure for our small-town economy to grow. Infrastructural services and programs such as first responders, healthcare, water supply, sewage, broadband, roadway, bridges, street projects, sidewalks and beautification, etc. Revitalizing efforts to support our small-town business owners and focus on attracting new businesses can help our local residents work where they live while growing our local economy. New growth is inevitable, but it must be done in a sustainable way that is right for all of Brookhaven and we must ensure we have the infrastructure in place to sustain that new growth.

I am committed to continue representing the heartbeat of this community from Seniors to future generations. I’ve learned when balancing the needs of Ward 6 and the City as a whole it is important to respectfully listen to all sides of any given issue. If it’s a Ward 6 issue or not, decisions affect Brookhaven as an entirety. Everyone deserves a seat at the table and deserves to be heard and represented.

I will work to preserve Brookhaven as “The Homeseeker’s Paradise” and to place public service over self.

 

According to the City Clerk’s Office, the following people had qualified as candidates by end-of-day Jan. 6:

Mayor — Joe C. Cox (Rep., incumbent); Rev. Larry Jointer (Dem.)

Alderman-at-Large — Don Underwood (Rep., incumbent)*; Jeffery Jordan (Dem.)

Ward 1 Alderman — James Magee Jr. (Dem., incumbent); James Payton (Dem.)

Ward 2 Alderman — Shannon Moore (Dem., incumbent)

Ward 3 Alderman — Rev. Charles J. Caston Sr. (Dem., incumbent); Jennifer Howard Tate (Dem.)

Ward 4 Alderman — Jeff Henning (Rep., incumbent)

Ward 5 Alderman — Fletcher Grice (Rep., incumbent)

Ward 6 Alderman — Andre’ Spiller Sr. (Dem., incumbent); Alan “Trey” Henderson (Dem.)

*Underwood had announced his intent to qualify via social media, but had not officially filed paperwork by end-of-day Jan. 6.