2009 Memphis mayoral special election
The2009 Memphis mayoral special election took place on October 15, 2009. MayorWillie Herenton resigned on July 30, 2009, in anticipation of his2010 campaign against Democratic CongressmanSteve Cohen .[ 1] Myron Lowery , a formerWMC-TV news reporter, was elevated as Mayor Pro Tem, and served until the special election.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Twenty-five candidates ran in the special election, including Lowery, County MayorA C Wharton , former City CouncilmemberCarol Chumney , attorney Charles Carpenter, and professional wresterJerry Lawler . Wharton ended up winning the election in a landslide, receiving 60 percent of the vote.[ 5]
A C Wharton , Mayor ofShelby County [ 6] Myron Lowery , incumbent Mayor Pro Tem[ 7] Carol Chumney , Memphis City Councilmember,2007 candidate for Mayor[ 6] Charles Carpenter, attorney, Herenton campaign manager[ 8] Jerry Lawler , former professional wrestler[ 8] Kenneth Whalum, Jr.,Memphis City School Board member[ 9] John Willingham, former County Commissioner, 2003 and2007 candidate for Mayor of Memphis, 2006 Republican nominee for Mayor of Shelby County[ 10] Wanda Halbert, City Councilmember[ 11] Detric W. Stigall, city park services administrator[ 12] Robert Hodges , perennial candidate[ 13] Sharon A. Webb,Memphis City Schools Board member,2007 candidate for Mayor[ 14] E. C. Jones, former City Councilmember[ 15] Leo AwGoWhat Silky Sullivan,Beale Street restaurateur[ 16] Mary Wright Dewey Clark, bail bondsman[ 17] Menelik Fombi Johnny Hatcher, Jr. Randy L. Cagle, businessman,2007 candidate for Mayor James M. Clingan David W. Vinciarelli Constance Houston Ernest A. Lunati De Wayne Jones Vuong Vaughn Vo Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin A C Carol Myron Charles Kenneth Jerry Leo Wanda Robert Undecided Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy [ 20] September 14–16, 2009 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 45% 11% 10% 5% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 21% WREG Channel 3 News [ 21] October 9–11, 2009 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 53% 9% 16% 3% 5% 4% – – – 7%
^ Key: ^ Baker, Jackson (July 30, 2009)."Herenton has left the building" .Action 5 News Memphis, Tennessee . RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (June 26, 2009)."Lowery takes long path to top job" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A4. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (August 14, 2009)."Mayoral madness: Herenton may attempt to replace himself as mayor, citing 'reckless' Lowery" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^a b Maki, Amos (August 25, 2009)."Herenton: I won't run for mayor" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (October 16, 2009)."Hot for AC: Wharton wins with 60 percent of vote; turnout less than 25 percent" .Memphis Flyer Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^a b McMillin, Zack (June 26, 2009)."Several potential candidates" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (August 2, 2009)."Crowded race has observers guessing" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^a b McMillin, Zack (July 9, 2009)."Herenton political chief, wrestler to enter race" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. DSA3. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (June 30, 2009)."Whalum will run for mayor in special election" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. B1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (August 19, 2009)."Mayor's race crowded - 31 pull petitions" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. B6. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (August 4, 2009)."Halbert running for mayor" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. B1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ "Meet the Candidates: Detric Stigall" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . September 18, 2009. p. B5. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 .^ "Prince Mongo joins Memphis mayor's race" .Action 5 News Memphis, Tennessee . July 24, 2009. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 .^ Baker, Jackson (September 3, 2009)."Who's on First? 28 People, Maybe 29 File for Mayor" .Memphis Flyer Memphis, Tennessee . RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (August 15, 2009)."After sentencing, dad turns candidate" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (September 4, 2009)."36 put hats in mayoral circus ring" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ "Meet the Candidates: Dewey Clark" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . September 20, 2009. p. B6. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 .^ McMillin, Zack (July 1, 2009)."Lowery begins transition to mayor" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ Doniach, Alex (July 25, 2009)."One less to run in mayoral election" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. B1. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (September 18, 2009)."Survey puts Wharton in lead" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1, A7. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ McMillin, Zack (October 13, 2009)."Wharton widens lead in new poll" .The Commercial Appeal Memphis, Tennessee . p. A1, A3. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 . ^ "Election Summary Report - Special State Primaries and Municipal Elections - Shelby County, TN" (PDF) . Shelby County Election Commission. October 23, 2009. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on December 17, 2010. RetrievedJuly 21, 2025 .
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