Mayor Melton Allowed to Seek Re-election

A circuit judge has ruled that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's name will be on the ballot.

By: The Associated Press |
Published: March 26, 2009

Embattled Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is back on the ballot for the May primary.

Melton faces federal civil rights charges related to a sledgehammer attack on a duplex he considered a crackhouse. But the Jackson Democratic Municipal Executive Committee said it removed Melton's name from the party primary ballot because he's not a Jackson resident.

Melton challenged the decision, arguing he had lived in Jackson since 1984 and providing Circuit Judge Billy Joe Landrum with utility bills and other documents to support his claim.

Landrum, appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court to hear the case, agreed today and ruled that Melton had "overwhelmingly rebutted the presumption that his residency is in the county and state where his homestead exemption is filed." Although Melton maintains a home in Tyler, Texas, Landrum said it was clear that he lives in Jackson.

John Reeves, Melton's attorney, said while he is not involved in the politics of the mayor's race, it was evident to him that some members of the Democratic committee supported other candidates and wanted Melton out of the running.

"It appeared to me as a lawyer that the only reason the committee did not certify him is political. The mayor is leading in scientific polls now," Reeves said. "The committee members were supporting various candidates and they wanted him out, but it has backfired."

Dorsey Carson, the attorney for the Democratic committee, said the committee is glad the matter is resolved and the challenge to Melton's residency had nothing to do with politics.

"Under Mississippi law and Texas law, you can only have one domicile (home) and, before you can have a new homestead, you have to abandon the former one," Carson said in a release. "That's the law, not politics."