Thomas Mayfield announces his bid for Vicksburg’s South Ward alderman

Educator Thomas “T.J.” Mayfield has announced his bid for South Ward alderman in Vicksburg Thursday.

Mayfield, who is a well known in the Vicksburg community, has decided to run for public office to better serve his community.

“I love my community with all my heart,” Mayfield said.

“Vicksburg has plenty of resources that often go underutilized and that often leads to less opportunities for our citizens, especially the youth, and I want (to give) young people a better chance to see that,” he added, “and I believe that I am the person to carry out that plan.”

Mayfield has turned in all necessary paperwork and will run as a Democrat in this election. He plans to run a clean campaign and wants to focus on important things instead of bashing his opponents.

“My format is to speak the truth and to focus on important issues and listen to the citizens,” Mayfield said.

“The work I performed with the Jim Hood and Mike Espy campaign opened my eyes to a different view of the political world,” he added.

Mayfield is currently a career academy teacher at Vicksburg High School after teaching for a few years at Warren Central High. He is a 2011 graduate of Warren Central and holds a master’s degree in history from Alcorn State University.

Over his years as an educator, Mayfield has helped many students gain scholarship opportunities and led them to a path of success, which helped him decide that he wanted to serve his community on a higher level.

Seated: North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and Tholmas “TJ” Mayfield. Standing: Bertha Mayfield and Madalene Mayfield. (photo by Keith Phillips)

Thomas is the son of North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield Sr. and Bertha Mayfield. Mayfield Sr. also announced his bid for re-election Thursday, so if they are both elected, father and son will serve alongside each other.

“What better person to learn from than my dad,” Thomas Mayfield said. “He always gives good advice, and I don’t think it will be a big deal at all.”

The Mayfields chose to announce their bids for aldermen on this day because it is the one year anniversary since the death of Dorothy Mayfield, who is the mother of Mayfield Sr. It is also Mayfield Sr.’s son Michael Mayfield Jr.’s birthday.

Thomas Mayfield is a big family man and he credits them for his success in life.

“I would like to thank my wife Madalene Barksdale-Mayfield and family for their love and prayer,” Mayfield said.

At the moment, Thomas Mayfield does not have any opposing candidates that he will face in the democratic primary but it is still early. More candidates are expected to file soon.

The municipal primaries are scheduled for April 6, with primary runoffs, if necessary, slated for April 27. The municipal election is June 8.