Willie or Won't He Run for Mayor?

By Candice Ludlow

Memphis, TN – The Memphis Mayoral Special Election got a little strange Thursday. Candice Ludlow reports.

Just two weeks after Willie Herenton resigned as the city's mayor to run for Congress, Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Bill Giannini says he was back with a new plan. "He came in the office after the office opened this morning and requested a petition for himself for the city of Memphis mayoral election, special election on October 15th ," Giannini says.

Herenton could not be reached for comment, but did release a statement saying his "primary political goal is to represent the ninth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives."

But then why did he pull the petition to nominate himself as a candidate for Memphis mayor? He says, (quote) I feel obligated to seek alternatives to Myron Lowery and an anyone can win mayoral race." Further he said, "I am disappointed in Myron's reckless style of leadership. He must be stopped."

Memphis Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery says, "Anyone is free to run in this special election, and I welcome Mayor Herenton to come back to run. But everyone has to remember that he created this entire situation. Had he not resigned, there would be no special election."

Meanwhile, Tonya Meeks issued a statement on behalf of Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton. It says, "His focus is on running his campaign and laying out a progressive vision for this community. As we have said before, the number of candidates no matter who they are or what their personal agendas may be will not decide the next Mayor of Memphis. The voters will."

The deadline to file candidacy papers is September 3rd. Candidates may rescind their candidacy up until September 10th.