Jason Spears, who currently represents Ward 6 on the Columbus City Council, announced plans Monday to run for the county’s District 2 supervisor seat in 2027.

Spears told The Dispatch his decision to run for office during his four-year council term is rooted in a hope to maximize his service not only in the city but in the county as well.

“My commitment to the citizens of Ward 6 has not changed,” Spears said in a press release issued Monday. “I will continue working every day on behalf of the people who entrusted me to represent them on the Columbus City Council. My intention to seek the District 2 Supervisor position in 2027 will not interfere with that responsibility or lessen my commitment to the work we have underway.”

Qualifying for next year’s election opens in January. Spears told The Dispatch he will continue serving on the city council during the race, but if elected as supervisor, he would to resign from the position upon taking office in 2028. Both state law and the Columbus city charter require a special election be held to fill the remainder of Spears’ term.

Spears’ announcement comes after Trip Hairston, who currently represents District 2 on the board of supervisors, said he plans to run for the District 17 seat in the state Senate in 2027. Chuck Younger, who currently represents District 17, announced earlier this month he intends to leave the Senate to run for Northern District transportation Commissioner.

Spears, a Republican, said his interest in the District 2 seat reflects a desire to build upon his work at the municipal level while continuing to strengthen the relationship between Columbus and Lowndes County.

“Columbus and Lowndes County share an economy, a workforce, infrastructure, businesses, neighborhoods, and families,” Spears said in the press release. “The challenges and opportunities facing our city do not stop at the city limits. Strong cooperation between the City and County is essential if we want to compete successfully for investment, create quality jobs, improve infrastructure, and build a community where our children want to remain and raise their own families.”

Spears, who owns JDS Wealth Strategies in Columbus, has represented Ward 6 on the Columbus City Council since July 2025. Prior to that, he served 10 years on the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees and was appointed the Columbus Redevelopment Authority in 2022, a role he resigned from in 2025 after being elected to the city council.

If elected, Spears said economic development would remain an important focus and capitalizing on what he sees as an opportunity for the city and county to build on the existing economic strengths while “aggressively pursuing new businesses, industries, retail development and high-quality employment opportunities.”

“Our goal should be bigger than simply managing where we are today,” Spears said. “We should be working together to make Columbus and Lowndes County one of the most prosperous communities in the entire state of Mississippi. That requires a strong financial foundation, modern infrastructure, an environment that welcomes investment, and City and County leaders who recognize that our futures are directly connected.”

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.