Alderman L.J. Bryant launches Jonesboro mayoral bid

After months of speculation, Jonesboro Alderman L.J. Bryant launched a bid Wednesday (July 24) to challenge incumbent Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver. Bryant said his campaign has already raised $150,000 and he thinks that amount could double before the November election.

He told Talk Business & Politics that the $150,000 isn’t pledged. It’s already in the bank, he said. Bryant made his announcement in downtown Jonesboro in front of a group of supporters, staff and other elected officials.

“After much consideration, I’m running for mayor of Jonesboro,” he told the crowd.

Bryant said he will only seek one term. He has served on the city council for seven years. Bryant previously ran for state representative and Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands.

Copenhaver, a former state representative, is serving his first term. He announced earlier this summer his intentions to seek another term.

If elected, Bryant said he will institute a 10-point plan. The plan would include reductions in crime, paring down the number of employees in the mayor’s office, and making department heads more accountable.

He said city government needs to be more transparent, the city needs to be more user-friendly towards developers and builders, and he plans to connect more with students on the Arkansas State University campus.

Bryant noted the city’s poverty rate is 22.5% and it needs to be reduced. Building comprehensive bike and trail systems will be another goal, among several, he added.

“Rex Nelson said a city has to be clean, safe and fun. We need to strive for that,” Bryant said.