Attorney Charles Carpenter:

“I believe that Mayor Herenton has been the finest mayor the city has had in its history,” said Attorney Charles Carpenter, who was Herenton’s campaign manager when Herenton became the city’s first elected African-American mayor in 1991.

Herenton’s administration has achieved significant accomplishments and has made the city of Memphis a better place to live and work, said Carpenter. “I personally wish him well in his personal and future endeavors.”

Asked if he would be a candidate in the next mayoral election, Carpenter said, “I have received significant encouragement for me to look at entering the special election for city mayor. I’m (currently) evaluating the timing for entering the race for mayor. I will make a decision next week or so as far as my position.”

If Carpenter decides to get into the race, he will find Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton already there. Wharton made his intentions known well before Herenton’s announcement.

“If A C is interested in campaigning for city mayor, he should tender his resignation immediately as mayor of Shelby County,” Carpenter said. “It is a clear conflict of interest to be a candidate for city mayor and continue to serve as mayor of Shelby County.”

Commissioner James Harvey:

Shelby County Board of Commissioner James Harvey, first elected to the Commission in August 2006, said he was surprised to hear that Herenton is resigning effective July 10.

“I think it creates a political paradigm that will create extraordinary things in the political process,” said Harvey, who noted his interest in running for mayor in 2011.

Harvey said he had not envisioned running for mayor to fill the remaining term of a mayor who vacates the seat.

“My first interest is to run a fresh race based on my exploratory committee. I’m not interested in following somebody who didn’t finish (serving his time in office).”

Harvey said the person who follows Herenton to the mayor’s office could expect to inherit the good and bad.

“Mayor Herenton is a good friend of mine,” Harvey said. “I like him as mayor. He provided the city with leadership that he thought was best for the city at the time.”

Harvey said he didn’t want to grade Herenton on his performance as mayor for 18 years. He did say, however, that there has been “some growth and some losses, some happy times and some difficult times.”

Herenton, he added, will leave behind an unfinished legacy – whether it’s good or bad.

Attorney Carol Chumney

“It’s a shame that we went through a year and a half of charade, where (two) people were trying to circumvent the will of the people,” said Carol Chumney, expressing her opinion about Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton’s alleged deal to become mayor after Herenton leaves office.

“Clearly the people wanted change in the last election, but a backroom deal was made to dupe the people into believing that Herenton was a serious candidate,” Chumney said. “It is apparent that Mayor Herenton and A C Wharton made a deal that this was about to transpire.”

Chumney said she is definitely a candidate in the next mayoral election even though Wharton has made it official that he will run.

“People can count on Carol,” Chumney said. “They could count on me then, count on me now and count on me tomorrow to move this city forward. That’s why I’m running for mayor.”

She said Herenton was a formidable opponent with a huge war chest, and that the next election will be easier for her.

Councilman Jim Strickland:

Memphis City Councilman Jim Strickland said he was very surprised to hear that Herenton will resign before finishing a fifth term.

“I heard the rumors, but I never took them serious,” said Strickland, who is mulling over a run for mayor. Strickland said if he gets the go-ahead from his family and friends and gathers the resources to compete in the next mayoral race, he might make a decision soon.

“I’ve been encouraged the last few weeks by people in the community to run for mayor,” he said, noting that a “Draft Jim Strickland for Mayor” is currently posted on FaceBook with over 700 names.

The next mayor of Memphis should bring bold and dramatic change to the city, Strickland said.

Herenton, he said, has had some triumphs as mayor, such as public housing transformation.

“But I think Memphis is in a situation, as a city, that is headed in the wrong direction. Unemployment is up, hopelessness is up, crime is up and jobs are moving out the city.”

Councilman Myron Lowery:

City Council Chairman Myron Lowery will serve as mayor pro tem after Herenton leaves office. Lowery said he will talk to the Shelby County Election Commission to see when will be a good time to establish a special election. Whoever wins that special election will serve out the remainder of the mayor’s term until the end of 2011.

Lowery, citing his lengthy record of service as an elected official, said he would be a candidate to serve out the remainder of the term. His knowledge of the inner workings of city government puts him in a position to lead a smooth transition, Lowery said.

“On behalf of the city of Memphis, I want to thank Mayor Willie Herenton for his services.”