Jackson Free Press

At a press conference Friday morning outside the Jackson City Hall, Hinds County District 5 Supervisor Kenny Stokes gave an endorsement on behalf of him and his wife, Ward 3 City Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes, to mayoral candidate Chokwe Lumumba ahead of next Tuesday's runoff election.

Lumumba, a lawyer, civil rights advocate and Ward 2 councilman, is in a tightly contested race with businessman Jonathan Lee.

Stokes also concluded his comments by suddenly saying the Jackson Free Press "can kiss his ass!"

He didn't elaborate, but added later he thought the paper should have endorsed Lumumba. It is worth noting that we also did not endorse Stokes' wife in her bid for re-election in Ward 3, which she won with 53 percent on May 7, meaning no runoff was necessary. The JFP was also a strong critic of Mayor Frank Melton, a close ally of Stokes.

Stokes has a history of speaking his mind, and colorfully. On Oct. 17, 2012, Stokes told an attorney representing homeowners near the Faircloth Landfill he was "tired of this bullsh*t" and refused to back down after Board President Robert Graham apologized to the attorney. He also shouted "Yo mama" at one protester in the board chamber at the chancery court building. He also told Byram Fire Chief Marshall Robinson that "to address the (board) president with all that bass in your voice is just wrong."