Welcoming Jimmy White To The Mayor’s Race

One of the most pressing questions of the mayor’s race has finally been answered. Just how do you pronounce mayoral candidate Jesus White’s name?

The Daily News ‘ Gar Joseph has it covered.

The would-be minister and part-time security guard, who lives at the Sunday Breakfast Mission because he’s “between housing,” has survived a challenge to his nominating petitions. Since he’s going to be around until the May 15 primary election, we ought to know how he pronounces his first name.

“It depends, according to the set I’m in,” White explained.

If he’s with a Hispanic group, he pronunces it “Hey-Zoos,” a common first name. If it’s a non-Hispanic group, it’s “Gee-zuss,” as in Christ. But some people don’t react well to that, White says. Especially Baptists.

“They tend to think that name is reserved, so if I’m with Baptists, people just call me Joshua,” White said. “Josh for short.”

White, 56, says he’s happy with whatever anyone calls him: “It doesn’t matter to me.”

So, what does his mother call him? “Jose,” he said.

Aiight, we got ya, Jo-Jo White.

Gar Joseph | For black judge candidates, no merit in elections [Daily News]