Craighead County Judge Marvin Day to seek Jonesboro mayor’s seat

The day after three-term incumbent Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin announced he would not seek a fourth term, Craighead County’s Judge Marvin Day said he will seek the office. Day, 50, is relatively new to politics, having been elected judge just a year ago. Perrin’s news of a health condition leading to his decision not to run again sent shockwaves through the community.

“The last 36 hours have been a whirlwind,” Day said. “Mayor Perrin called me Tuesday evening and asked if we could meet. We have spent the last two years working side by side to make Jonesboro and Craighead County a better place to live, work and raise a family. To say that I was shocked and saddened by our conversation is an understatement. First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are going out to Harold on this unexpected journey he is about to take. Harold Perrin has become a friend as we have worked together, and I appreciate all that he has done to make Jonesboro a better place.”

Day said his conversation with Perrin was both personal and professional. At one point, Perrin encouraged him to run, he added.

Day is a 5th generation resident of Jonesboro. He says that his hometown roots run deep and they always have.

“My wife Ashley and I both made decisions in our early 20’s that Jonesboro was going to be our home,” Day said. “We were finishing college, and we both had opportunities to take promising jobs in other states. But we both had a love for our community and made the commitment then that my hometown and my family would always take priority.”

Day had previously worked in the construction business and spent several years as an engineer at City Water and Light.

After he won the Republican Primary for County Judge in 2018 and had no general election opponent, he went to work for the county as the administrative assistant to former Judge Ed Hill. It gave him a six month head start on the job and he said he was pleased that Hill gave him that opportunity.

Perrin said Wednesday (July 22) that health issues have forced him from the mayor’s race. He plans to serve out his current term.

Jonesboro native Andy Shatley is the only other announced candidate for the office. On his social media accounts he said he will seek the mayor’s office. He is reportedly a physical therapist and a former Major League Baseball player, according to his social media accounts. The municipal filing period ends Aug. 11.

Perrin faced a litany of opponents during his 2016 run for a third term, but he won that race without a runoff. Perrin received 49% (11,465) of the 23,407 votes cast during that election. Harold Copenhaver, a former state representative, garnered 24% (5,673) of votes cast. Alderman John Street received 13% (3,135) of votes cast, while police officer Nathan Coleman tallied 8% (1,830) of the vote. Small businesswoman Amanda Dunavant 4% (839), and small businessman Tom Elwood garnered 2% (465) of votes cast.

Municipal elections in cities of a certain size only require a 40% threshold for victory if there are more than two candidates in the field.