State and Local Politics Blog

After an exhausting 2018 election cycle, we now take stock in where we are in Tennessee and Shelby County.  Given the results of our top ticket races, it is easy to focus on the negative.  Bredesen and Dean ran well-funded, “moderate” races.  They did everything that the political class tells us that Democrats are supposed to do to prevail in Tennessee.  Then they both lost.  Soundly.

Three up, three down, as they say in baseball. The City Council tried three referendums on Memphis voters in November, and struck out on all three. As we change innings, it’s a good time to reflect on what the results tell us, and who’s up next.

These past few weeks leading to Election Day have felt like a feeding frenzy on what we all feel to be good about our country, our state, and our city. Victims of sexual assault across the country – myself included – are still reeling from the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice who does not possess the character or temperament to be a fair and impartial judge. Closer to home, Tennessee progressives are also reeling from Phil Bredesen’s statement in support of Brett Kavanaugh. And right in our back yard…

Allan Creasy was born and raised in Shelby County. He grew up in Bartlett and graduated from Bolton High School. “Being able to ride my bike to W. J. Freeman park, where I broke my arm on playground equipment as a child, playing t-ball, baseball, and soccer, was part of a suburban upbringing that shaped me. Seeing how the neighborhood has grown and evolved has been amazing.” He went on to study History at the University of Memphis on full academic scholarship.

When I was barely two years old, my father made the decision to move his family to the United States from India. A move that would fundamentally change my life, and lead to the cherished career I have today. Like so many immigrants before him, my father was drawn to these shores because of the beacons of hope and freedom that echoed from the lighted torch from that most iconic symbol of freedom and democracy - the Statue of Liberty. He saw in this beacon the promise of a new life, a measure of freedom, a measure of compassion; he saw “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.”

Dwayne Thompson was born and raised in Memphis. His parents came from West Tennessee and North Mississippi, both of them came to Memphis to escape poverty and find decent work. Dwayne attended public schools in Memphis and Shelby County and was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Political Science and Economics and later did graduate work in Business Administration. Dwayne served his country for 6 years in the U. S. Army Reserves.

Gabby is a healthcare advocate whose personal journey led her to run for office. 22 years ago her family immigrated from Bolivia to Memphis so that she could receive treatment at St. Jude. Thanks to the treatment she received at St. Jude, Gabby was able to beat cancer three times. 

In 2008, over 75% of Memphis voters cast their vote to limit the time in office for mayor and city council members to two consecutive terms. Earlier this year, 11 of the 13 city council members voted to put a referendum on the November 2018 ballot that would ask voters to approve a term limit extension to three consecutive terms. According to some city council members, there is a steep learning curve in the first term, but you start to hit a groove in the second term.

Another exciting addition to the campaign is the launch of Educators for Dean. Educators across the state are supporting Karl because he is committed to making public education a top priority.  Our co-Chairs for Educators for Dean are Jolinea Pegues and Penny Ferguson.

August 2nd was a great day for Shelby County.  Many people worked for years to see this day.  Democrats won every county-wide seat and captured an 8 to 5 margin on the County Commission.  Now, Republicans control only one county-wide seat and many are predicting that it will be very difficult for Republicans to launch any concerted take-back effort starting from such a small base.  Congratulations to all the winners and to the candidates Future 901 endorsed – Lee Harris, Michael Whaley and Tami Sawyer.  The citizens are indeed optimistic and looking for that New Era in Shelby County.