WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Campaigning Continues in Final Hours

Campaigning Continues in Final Hours

By Andrew Hasbun
andrew@wlbt.net

We know that the city of Jackson will have a new mayor -- but will it be Republican Rick Whitlow or Democrat Frank Melton? Voters will decide when the polls open Tuesday morning.

Months of campaigning for Frank Melton are drawing to a close. "I feel real good," he said Sunday. "(I'm) just ready to get it over with."

A barbecue Sunday at Poindexter Park gave Melton the chance to meet with voters, something he says will continue if he's victorious on Tuesday.

"One thing I've learned from this campaign is that these things -- they bring families together and kids can play the games. It builds good relationships in each neighborhood," he said.

The momentum will continue Monday with a rally in Ward Two. "They are crucial hours," Melton says. "You have to make sure you stay on your p's and q's -- not that you shouldn't all the time, but you get pretty burnt out when it gets down to the wire."

Melton’s challenger, Rick Whitlow, is also campaigning into the final hours. "We are going to continue to work probably up till 7 p.m. Tuesday night," Whitlow said.

Thousands of Whitlow's signs are waiting for placement. The candidate says he's been getting up before dawn to put them up. "No one knows how things are going to go," he says. "That is why it is so important to stay on message as we have done."

Though Melton's campaign raised nearly $600,000 more than Rick Whitlow's, Whitlow doesn't let that get him down. "You know all the people with money, regardless of what they do with it, they are still one vote -- one person, one vote," Whitlow said.

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. WLBT will provide results on the air Tuesday evening and on www.wlbt.com.