Jackson Free Press

Standing in front of a throng of supporters and family at the Alamo Theatre, City Councilman Marshand Crisler formally announced his candidacy for mayor Thursday afternoon. Crisler, who first won the Ward 6 Council seat in 2001, said he would work to improve Jackson's school system, upgrade its city services, reduce crime and impose fiscal discipline on city government. He pledged to work with city, county and state officials in addressing the many issues facing Jackson.

"Revitalizing our captial city will not be achieved with a go-it-alone mentality," Crisler said in his announcement.

Crisler's announcement has been expected for several months. Jackson restaurateur Jeff Good hosted a fundraiser for Crisler with many other prominent supporters in early December. On Thursday, Crisler linked his candidacy to the recent election and inauguration of President Barack Obama, promising "a new beginning" for the city.

"We felt like with the birth of a new nation, with the election of President Barack Obama, that an age of change has been birthed," Crisler said. "We feel like we're part of that birth, and we're going to carry that mantle for our president here locally in Jackson."