Mayor says he did not endorse Braswell

Published 12:01 am Saturday, July 16, 2011

NATCHEZ — A public comment made by District 1 Supervisor candidate Bobby Braswell merits some clearing up, Braswell and Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin said.

Braswell said at Monday night’s Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce political forum that the Ferriday mayor endorsed him.

“I didn’t endorse anybody,” McGlothin said.

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But Braswell said, after the question was raised Friday, that he meant Monday that McGlothin endorsed his business — not him as a political candidate.

Braswell said he did business in Ferriday approximately seven years ago, operating under a five-month contract to build potato crates. Braswell said 100 people were hired until the contract expired, and McGlothin supported the venture as mayor.

McGlothin confirmed Braswell did business in Ferriday during one of the mayor’s previous terms, and that it temporarily provided up to 100 jobs. The business is no longer in Ferriday, McGlothin said.

McGlothin said he spoke to Braswell months ago as a friend, and Braswell told him he planned to run for the supervisor seat.

“I told him it’s good for everybody to jump in (the race),” McGlothin said. “I’m sorry if the man took it as an endorsement and took it that way.”

McGlothin said he did not intend to take sides in favor of or against incumbent Mike Lazarus when he encouraged people to run. McGlothin said he has never endorsed a candidate in an Adams County election.

“I do support people in elections — on my side of the river. I don’t get involved over there,” McGlothin said.

McGlothin said he would not want Adams County politicians involving themselves in Concordia Parish politics, so he would not want to involve himself in Mississippi politics.

Braswell reiterated at Friday political forum sponsored by the NAACP that McGlothin endorsed him as a businessman for the work he did in Ferriday.