Ron Aldridge, a longtime, active resident of Belhaven, business owner and lawyer in Fondren is running as an Independent in the General Election on June 3, 2025, to serve on Jackson’s City Council for Ward 7.
Guided by his faith and his love of Jackson and its people, Ron Aldridge has pledged to put all of his experience (in business, government and community service) to work to stop Jackson’s downward spiral and begin restoring Jackson to its rightful place as a city we can all be proud to call home and our Capital City.
Ron has a record and well-earned reputation for integrity and an ability to bring people together to find common ground and practical solutions to political challenges.
It’s obvious there’s a mountain to climb due to how badly damaged our city has gotten, and we need officials who have shown they know how to work positively together and have overcome the political arena and its obstacles in this tough environment.
Ron won’t shy away from honestly assessing what we face: “I’ve seen the elderly, disabled or other families trapped in the forgotten neighborhoods that Jackson has failed. There are far too many areas with empty, stripped-down businesses and burned out or dilapidated houses. Too many of our neighbors are hardly able to even safely get in and out of their homes due to the unsafe street conditions, gunshots, and serious drug and gang-related crime running rampant.”
Trust can’t be rebuilt overnight and doing so takes more than just words. We have all heard more than enough excuses. Restoring trust requires competence, accountability and transparency and most of all consistency.
People trust Ron. Because he has a proven record of honoring his promises – in business and in government.
Aldridge points out that “It’s time for all Jacksonians to come out, come together and make a positive difference. As neighbors and residents, we are called to care more, to do more and to expect more from those who represent us. I’ve developed “no fear” to go anywhere in Jackson. We must join together like never before. Aldridge states,
“We all know crime and safety must come first. We are blessed to have some of the finest, professional law enforcement officers, but they need help – from all of us.”
Ron is not just talking, he has been tak-ing action: As Board Chair for Fondren’s Business Improvement District (BID), he’s been part of Fondren’s:
Ground-breaking efforts to bring together city, county and state law enforcement with business and community leaders to foster two-way communication and improve their work together, as well as coordination with federal and state drug enforcement agencies.
Work to improve and encourage better networking of crime info between law enforcement and on-site security or cameras at nearby hospitals, businesses, and shopping centers
This election is about electing a City Council and Mayor who can restore trust. We need proven leaders willing to work with one another. And to take the next step, leaders need experience. We don’t have the luxury of wasting time. We need people who know:
• What has worked and what has failed and why;
• What is still needed to fight crime and reduce the problem of homeless issues, both of which have caused much harm and damaged our quality of life all across our city;
• How to work with the county, state, and federal officials when Jackson needs it, because of his years of established trust. Ron’s individual lobbying efforts and community leadership was instrumental in improving Ward 7’s Capitol Police coverage.
We also need people in city government who care about the entire city and who have lived out those words with action. Ron’s work with church and community groups like Bridging the Gap Outreach Ministries is just another example of the kind of servant leadership Jackson desperately needs.
Aldridge stated “We’ve formed relationships in crime-ridden areas where there are families in apartment complexes needing to know somebody cares. Our efforts include finding those who will mentor the young moms and families and creating opportunities for these families to have fun. And our presence and our consistent efforts have reduced crime in those areas.”
Ron also knows how to get things done. His spent 22 years as an Army Reserve Engineer Officer. He worked in the State Legislature to protect the small “mom & pop” businesses all over Mississippi and to reduce the types of unnecessary and costly regulatory burdens and paperwork that hurt small businesses and cost jobs. Ron also has a background in workforce training by serving on the original State Workforce Investment Board for several years.
Economic development requires stable and reliable infrastructure and a commitment to serving the people and businesses we have. Safe streets, safe water, reliable city services. That is just the starting point.
A problem solver and a tireless worker, Jackson needs someone who won’t accept the neglect, the complacency and outright brokenness without action that has plagued Jackson. He also has the heart and the desire to serve – everyone in Ward 7 and the entire city.
Ron’s greatest joy and concern is his family with his wife Beth of almost 44 years, his three children who either live and/or work in Jackson and vicinity and his four grandchildren. Aldridge desires to pass on to them not only a good name, but a capital city that has a future for them.
To learn more of Ron Aldridge’s extensive track record showing he’s NEVER STOPPED WORKING FOR JACKSON, review his more expanded, yet incomplete bio at www.RonForJackson.com. And another source of his priorities for Jackson are included on the League of Women Voters website of www.VOTE411.org.
