As our county government reporter, Daniel Connolly, reported earlier today, Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton picked up a petition to become a candidate in the City of Memphis's special mayoral election, set for Oct. 15. Wharton's campaign team had organized a small rally to coincide with the "event," though there has been no suspense regarding whether Wharton would be running.
"They're looking for disciplined, focused individuals to lead our city, and that's what I bring to the table," Wharton said after picking up the petition in a county administration building Downtown.
Other people pulling petitions on Thursday: City Councilman Joe Brown and Roderic Ford. Last we checked the Shelby County Election Commission website, a total of 34 people had pulled petitions, and at least three more declared candidates -- City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert, County Commissioner James Harvey and former City Councilwoman Carol Chumney -- have yet to pick up petitions. To qualify, candidates must return the petition with 25 signatures and $100.
Might we have 40 potential candidates by the time the Sept. 3 filing deadline arrives? Stay tuned.
Isn't Wharton the same guy who was the lawyer for willie herenton and willie's campaign manager? The same guy who settled the sexual harassment lawsuit against willie herenton when he was in MCS and had the details sealed from the public even tho the public had to pay for the settlement?
What has he really done as mayor of the county? I honestly can't think of any accomplishments...
He is more of the same. This city needs somebody new with integrity that has the fortitude to fight the corruption that bleeds this city dry, and that person is not a c wharton..
Has wharton ever publicly addressed the $2 Billion dollars of debt that the county owes under his watch?? Does the media ever ask anything like that?
Well the circus is in town and clowns have pulled petitions, Joe Brown, Roderic Ford, Wanda Halbert, Carol Chumney have all piled out of the clown car and hope to join Curly, Larry, and Moe in the mayors race.
When unqualified buffoons run for mayor without even realizing they are unqualified buffoons, this burg is in trouble.
Without question King Willie "Mugabe" Herenton should ascend back to the throne. It takes and ego as big as his and a PhD to be able to run this city into the ground with only minimal assistance from the City Council.
Long live King Willie "Mugabe"!!