JACKSON Tenn — Dr James Baxter adds his name to the race for mayor in the city of Jackson

Baxter withdrew as a candidate for the state Senate seat in the 27th District and announced his candidacy for mayor of Jackson.

James Baxter is the second to came forward and challenge incumbent Mayor Jerry Gist. State Senator Lowe Finney is also seeking the office in the May election.

Baxter says, education, crime and the city’s transportation infrastructure will be the issues he will campaign on. Baxter said he wants to see an expressway constructed that will connect south Jackson to north Jackson, and promises to put more police officers on the street to fight crime in the city.

Baxter ran and was defeated by incumbent Fred Birmingham for the office of Madison County Court Clerk in August. He is on the ballot for State Senate in November but has said he will cease that campaign and support Democrat candidate Randy Lamb.

The city election is in May, 2015.