Editor’s note: This is the third part in a series in which The Post plans to interview all six candidates for mayor before early voting begins on April 12.
Jackson City Court Clerk Daryl Hubbard is running for Mayor of Jackson. He has served as Jackson City Court Clerk for 25 years.
“I’ve been elected seven times. So I’ve been in public office for years,” Hubbard said. “I’ve seen some of everything. I’ve seen three different mayoral administrations. And I feel like it’s time for change. It’s time for the people’s candidate, the people’s choice. The people need to be represented.”
Hubbard says he moved to Jackson to open the West Tennessee School for the Deaf and has previously worked with the Star Center. He also coaches baseball and is actively involved with several different organizations.
“I’ve been a hands-on kind of person in this community for years,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard has previously faced criticism for how the Jackson City Court does business. In 2020, an employee was indicted for improperly handling documents, with the charges later being dropped. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office also released a report finding several shortcomings the same year.
Recently, the City Council approved the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service to conduct a study on how City Court is run. In January of 2023, the City hired Mitiz Merriweather as Chief Deputy Court Clerk. Hubbard believes that hire is a “political takeover” of his office. In his interview, he said he is running for mayor partly in response to that.
“The fact that they continue, and this has historically been a problem the way City Court has been treated. I kind of take it personally because when [Conger] was elected, he never said, ‘Hey, Daryl, what can I do for you guys over at City Court? I’m the new mayor. How can I be of assistance to you?’ He took an adversarial stance from the beginning,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard continued to say he will not micromanage departments within the City, if elected.
“We work for the city. Nobody should work for Scott. They should work for the city. And if Daryl becomes mayor, you’re not working for Daryl. You’re working for the city. And that’s the kind of person I am. I’m not trying to micromanage or step on any toes,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard said his priorities if elected include the city’s infrastructure, relationships with law enforcement and the community, and initiatives for young people.
“I would love to be the mayor to lead that charge. And I really want to make Jackson one of the safest communities in America,” Hubbard said.
Candidates for City of Jackson Mayor are the following: Ray Condray, Scott Conger (Incumbent), Daryl K. Hubbard, Paul Sherrod, Lisa Williams-Lyons and Jerry Wayne Woods.
Election Day for the City of Jackson Municipal Election is May 2. Early voting is April 12-27.
Julia Ewoldt, julia@jacksonpost.news
