A new administration for the City of Vicksburg was sworn into office Sunday night at the Ardis T. Williams Sr. Auditorium.

Judge James Jefferson Jr. presided over the ceremony and oversaw the oath of office for Mayor-elect Willis Thompson, Alderwoman-elect Vickie Bailey and Alderman-elect TJ Mayfield.

The new-look administration makes Mayfield, with just over a year in office, the senior member of the new Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Alderman – although Thompson previously served four years as South Ward (now Ward 2) alderman from 2013-2017, giving him the most experience at city hall.

During Sunday’s event, Thompson said he is eager to put his experience to work as mayor.

“I’m humbled to stand before you as the next mayor of the city of Vicksburg,” Thompson said. “We all want to live in a safe community. We all want to live in a growing community. We all want to live in a city that is infra-structurally sound. You all want us to handle your tax dollars wisely. We want to live in a city that has hope; has a future.”

Thompson said he plans to work alongside Vicksburg residents to accomplish the goals he based his campaign on.

“In knowing those things, that should bring us together in unity,” he said. “Because that’s the only way we’re going to solve these problems, is working together.”

Ward 2 Alderwoman Vickie Bailey also said she plans for a fast start in office in order to accomplish the goals she set during her campaign.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for your vote of trust in me,” Bailey said. “It was your voices, it was your concerns, and it was your dreams that has inspired me on every movement of my journey to this moment right now.”

Bailey also stressed the importance of leaders and residents coming together to work toward achieving the goals of the new administration.

“Throughout my campaign, I often spoke about change, improvement and unity,” she said. “These are not just mere words. These are pillars upon which we will build a brighter future for the city of Vicksburg.

Mayfield, who first took office after winning a special election held following the death of his father, Ward 1 Alderman Michael Mayfield Sr., said he looks forward to continuing the progress he has made in office since being elected in May 2024.

“I’m eternally grateful and thankful to be in this position,” he said. “I’m so proud to sit in the seat my dad sat in for years, and I will continue to serve with that same honesty, integrity and dignity that he served. But more importantly, serve the same purpose of taking a stand and doing what’s right for the people of the city of Vicksburg.”

The new administration officially begins its term Tuesday, July 1.