n The businessman and volunteer said he will work to restore the city's spirit.

By Emily Le Coz

Daily Journal

TUPELO - Businessman and education advocate Jonathan Stuart "Jonny" Davis will seek a seat on the City Council in Ward 5.

Davis, 44, qualified as a Republican and faces three challengers from the same party in the east Tupelo district. They'll face off in the May 5 primary.

"I seek this position to represent the citizens of my ward and the city of Tupelo," Davis wrote in a press release for the Daily Journal. "Our city is poised for future growth and needs leadership on the City Council willing to work together and with leaders in surrounding communities for the progress of our city and the region as a whole."

Born and raised in Tupelo, Davis has spent much of his free time volunteering in the community and currently serves on the Tupelo Major Thoroughfare Committee, Tupelo License Commission and Presley Heights Neighborhood Association board.

But he's poured much of his time into education, serving on a variety of associations, task forces and committees to further academic opportunities in Tupelo and across the state. Last year he won the Jack Reed Sr. Advocate For Education Award.

"I have worked as a businessman, education advocate and community servant in Tupelo my entire adult life," he said.

Davis also ran for the state Senate in 2007 as a Democrat but lost to incumbent Alan Nunnelee. As for the party change, the municipal candidate said he is returning to the Reagan style of politics that first inspired him.

If elected, Davis said he will work to rekindle the spirit of cooperation within city government.

"Tupelo has been the beacon of leadership and community spirit during most of my lifetime, but unfortunately that spirit has suffered over the last few years," he said. "To correct this, I intend to work with all those on the newly elected City Council and in the city administration to bring back the spirit of leadership and pride we have lost."

Other goals include improving city streets and traffic flow, bringing accountability and transparency to all municipal operations, working with and supporting all department heads, making sure the government treats everyone fairly and respectfully, and providing quality education to all Tupelo children.

Davis has a degree from the University of Mississippi and is married to wife Sherry. The couple have two sons, and the family attends Tupelo First United Methodist Church.

For more information about Davis' campaign, contact him at jstuartdavis@yahoo.com.

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.