Kemp Conrad officially out of the mayor's race

Another potential candidate has backed out of the Memphis mayor's race.

First-year City Councilman Kemp Conrad announced in a letter to supporters today that he's not running for Memphis mayor.

"I made a commitment to serving Memphis on the Council and that is a responsibility I take very seriously," he wrote.

Conrad, the former chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party, was elected to the council last November in the special race to replace former councilman Scott McCormick, who left the council to become the executive director of the Plough Foundation.

Conrad's official exit puts the field of declared candidates at 10.

Earlier this week, two other potential candidates told reporter Zack McMillin they are still contemplating a run: Memphis City Court Clerk Thomas Long and former Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division president Herman Morris.

Long told McMillin that he had formed an "exploratory" group to advise him and he planned to pull a petition to file but said he would not likely make a final decision until closer to the Sept. 3 filing deadline.

Morris said Herenton officially leaving office accelerated his process and expects to make a decision soon about whether to run.

Here's the letter Conrad wrote to supporters:

Dear Friends,

I want to thank all of you who have encouraged and advised me over the last few weeks to consider running for Mayor of Memphis in October. Upon deep reflection my family and I have decided not to make the race at this time. I made a commitment to serving Memphis on the Council and that is a responsibility I take very seriously. When I ran for City Council it was to make a difference in the direction of our city. I think a new city council has accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time, and I strongly believe with a new Mayor, together, we can build a city that is ready for the next generation. A city known for its Safety, Prosperity, and Unity.

It is time for a fresh start for Memphis. We should all be excited about the future of our city and what can be achieved with a Council and Mayor focused on the goals that matter to our families.

Thank you again for your support and for your commitment to Memphis. We live in a great city - A city worth fighting for. I will keep fighting for you and for the future of Memphis.

It is such an honor and privilege to serve you on the City Council. Please let me know if there is ever anything that I can do for you.

Best Regards Kemp

PS - Mayor Pro Tem Lowery and CAO Sammons will be my guests tonight at 7:00 on the local television show Council Call - please see the attachment for more information if you are interested in learning of the Mayor's goals and agenda over the next few months.