Memphis City Schools board member Tomeka Hart was very clear that she was not being critical of fellow MCS board member Kenneth Whalum Jr. in an article this morning about Whalum's often contentious relationship with his colleagues.
Even so, could Hart soon be competing with Whalum for votes in the City of Memphis's special election? Over the weekend, a new Facebook page, "Draft Tomeka Hart for Memphis Mayor" popped up.
So far, it has 42 members, some of whom are known to be actively backing other declared or potential candidates. It starts with language reminiscent of movie trailers: "In a time," it reads, "when common sense and integrity is not common at all and often found to be in very short supply from our so-called 'leaders', our citizenry is more than ready to embrace a person who has an understanding of what Memphis needs most."
The "Draft Jim Strickland for Memphis City Mayor" Facebook page is now up to 1,061 members. Although it, too, has more than a few members known to be actively supporting other candidates and some who do not live in Memphis, the "grassroots" Internet movement supporting the first-term City Councilman has been adding about 30 a day.
There is also a "Draft Councilman Kemp Conrad for Memphis Mayor" Facebook page, with more than 350 members supporting another first-term City Councilman -- and, so far, the only Republican to show serious interest in running. Among its members is Tom Guleff, the man who started the Facebook page devoted to Strickland.
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