Leyens says he’ll run for 2nd term

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 31, 2003

Mayor Laurence Leyens said Thursday he will run for a second term during 2005 municipal elections.

“At this point in time, I’m planning on running for mayor again, and I hope the next election I’m in has nothing to do with black and white issues, male and female, short or tall or he talks too much. I hope it has to do with your education, background and fiscal responsibility,” Leyens said to a cable TV audience.

Leyens, 38, made the statement while recording a weekly television program called “Speak Up” for TV23. When asked if that was an official announcement he said it was “just a statement.”

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Qualifying is open for county and state offices through February. The next city elections are in the summer of 2005.

Leyens, a developer and former insurance industry executive, is 19 months into his first term in any elected office. During the 2001 elections, race was an issue after white candidates were barred from a blacks-only campaign event.

Leyens said during the next campaign he plans to run on his record.

“I am very proud of what we’ve done to date in this community,” Leyens said.

North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young, who is serving her third term in office, said she is not thinking about the next election yet, but that people should be thinking about the elections this year.

“You really need to look at the track record of your elected officials and how they are voting for what’s in the best interest of the community or for themselves,” Young said.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman, the former director of parks and recreation for the city, also did not say if he will seek a second term.

Leyens won out of a field of four candidates in the general election that included then-incumbent Mayor Robert Walker, former Mayor Joe Loviza and first-time candidate Eva Marie Ford.

None have said if they will try again although being the incumbent does not seem to be an advantage for Vicksburg mayors. No full-term mayor has won re-election since 1985.