The decision was one in the making for months.

Jimmy Eldridge (R) State Representative District 73 from Jackson, became the first person to announce he is seeking the office of Mayor of the City of Jackson, when the general election is held in May 2019.

“I’m very excited about it,” Eldridge said. “I served 16 years in the general assembly with a lot of energy … and I want to bring that energy back home to the Mayor’s office and serve the people of Jackson in a different capacity.

“We are at a major crossroads. I applaud our former Mayor Charles Farmer for his leadership, and Jerry Gist, who has done a great job. We’re ready to go to the next level, and I want to be a part of moving Jackson forward.”

Eldridge, who made his announcement during a press conference at City Hall, said he will leave the General Assembly in November, to concentrate on the mayoral election.

A Jackson native, Eldridge has also served as a Madison County Commissioner.

He and wife Carolyn have two sons, Stephen and Michael.

“It’s been a great journey, Eldridge said about his time as a state representative. “It’s kind of hard to let that go, but now it’s time to come home. I want to come home and serve as the Mayor of Jackson, Tennessee.”

Ed Jackson, a State Senator from Jackson, said he has no doubts Eldridge will succeed as Mayor of Jackson.

“I glad to be here with Jimmy Eldridge and support him in his announcement that he is going to run for the City Mayor of Jackson,” Ed Jackson said. “He will do the same thing in Jackson he has done in Nashville.”

(PHOTO: Jimmy Eldridge announces he will run for Mayor of Jackson in 2019. Carolyn Eldridge, Jimmy’s wife, and Ed Jackson, State Senator from Jackson are pictured)
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