Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone and banker Harold W. Byrd have made it official – they are seeking the office of county mayor, a seat that A C Wharton Jr. is vacating to run for Memphis mayor in the Oct. 15 special election.

Deidre Malone

Harold Byrd

Malone and Byrd will be running in the county Democratic primary, scheduled sometime in early May. So far, no Republican has expressed interest in running. The general election is set for August 2010.

Malone officially announced her candidacy Wednesday at a home in Orange Mound owned by Elizabeth Ann Carter Nelson, Malone’s 67-year-old mother.

“My grandparents bought that home in the early 1930s,” said Malone, who grew up in the home at 777 Cella Street. “I felt the symbolism was important to let people know where I came from.”

Malone was the first to announce her candidacy, but decided to make it official after handing over the chairmanship Monday to Commissioner Joyce Avery, whom she’d challenged for a second term.

“I didn’t make the official announcement earlier because I wanted to do my best as chairman,” said Malone president of the Carter Malone Group.

Byrd, a founder, vice chairman and president for the Bank of Bartlett, said he is running for county mayor because he has a passion for Memphis and Shelby County.

“I grew up in the late ‘50s in rural Tennessee,” said Byrd, who founded the bank in 1980 with his brothers. “We were kind of like Jed Clampett (of the TV sitcom “Beverly Hillbillies.”) But we have been blessed.”

A former legislator, Byrd said his late father, a member of the McNairy County school board, was the inspiration and motivation behind his service to the community.     

“My first heroes were my mother and father,” he said. “I observed my father and how he worked for equal opportunity and education. I saw the difference one person could make.”

Malone said she anticipates an intense campaign against Byrd in the upcoming months. “I look forward to facing off with him. I’m sure there will be others.”

The two-term commissioner said she’s getting organized and has a healthy list of supporters and volunteers. “Later on this fall, we’ll unveil our platform.”

Malone said she plans to tackle school funding, effective crime fighting strategies and health care. “These issues I’m most concerned about and have been working on already.”

The county mayor should be able to work with the other seven suburban mayors in Shelby County, said Byrd, referring to the thorny issue of consolidation.

“The discussion leads to disruptions and a lack of confidence,” said Byrd, who did not say if he is for or against consolidation.

If he’s elected mayor, Byrd said he’d champion education, fight to deter crime, focus on health care and improve cooperation among business leaders.

“I would like to use the power to attack all these issues,” he said.