WASHINGTON - Maxine Smith, the woman who helped make Willie Herenton the first black Memphis City Schools superintendent in 1978 and later the first African American mayor of Memphis, has endorsed incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen in the 9th District race in a radio ad that begins airing Friday.
"For twenty years, I watched as Steve never gave up the fight to create the Tennessee Education lottery which has generated billions of dollars for the HOPE college scholarship, and educational programs," she says in the 30-second spot.
The Democratic primary vote is Aug. 5.
"A fighter, a thoughtful and proven leader, whose rise in Congress includes a chairmanship appointment, his election to Regional Whip and consistent 'A' rating from my organization, the NAACP, all prove that Congressman Steve Cohen continues to provide exemplary leadership and representation for the people of the 9th Congressional district. On August 5th, I'm going with Steve Cohen," she says.
The ad joins one recorded by former Congressman Harold Ford Sr. that began airing today. Cohen got a written endorsement from President Barack Obama on Tuesday, a day after a slate of local politicians, including former interim Mayor Myron Lowery and Sheriff's candidate Randy Wade, put their names in Cohen's column.
Herenton, at a press availability earlier this week, said he wasn't seeking endorsements.
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