With Election Day now less than 24 hours away, the 25 candidates in the Oct. 15 special mayoral election are campaigning vigorously in a last ditch effort to secure votes.
After numerous debates, forums, rallies, guest appearances, interviews and radio and television sound bites, each now is down to the last ditch pitch.
“I have more qualifications than my main opponent and I’m 20 years younger,” said former City Council member Carol Chumney, referring to Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr., who beat Chumney in 2002 for the seat he’s vacating for city mayor.
Chumney says a woman has an opportunity to lead now that Dr. Willie W. Herenton is retired after serving nearly 18 years as mayor.
“We can make sweeping changes and break another barrier,” she said.
School board commissioner Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. describes himself as the hardest working candidate on the campaign trail and says he is looking forward to the biggest upset in history in the most important mayoral election in history.
Whalum contends the mayoral race is a conflict between the traditional and the “new,” a battle between the status quo and change. He says he’s the agent of change.
“If a person can still look at you after having been in Shelby County government for the last 20 years and says he’s the face of change, you need to consider that an insult,” said Whalum, referring to Wharton.
The change that attorney Charles Carpenter is espousing is embodied in his approach to government. “We’re going to show leadership,” he said, which includes building a foundation for growth.
“(Voters) want change; they don’t want the status quo,” said Carpenter.
“We’re going to show leadership in finance, job training and business so that women, minorities and small business owners can get public contracts so they can be in the business of hiring new employees.”
City Council member Wanda Halbert says Memphians shouldn’t be afraid to stand against popular candidates (referring to Wharton) “who we know have done a disservice with their representation.”
Positioning herself among “the next generation of leaders,” Halbert says she offers an opportunity “to embrace a vision of hope, transparency, optimism and integrity in government that we can believe in.”
And she adds, “Who said a little girl can’t grow up to be mayor?”
Confident that his campaign has gotten the message out, Wharton says now it’s about getting the voters out. He says the campaign theme of “One Memphis” is working “superbly well.”
“People know what I’m all about. I have a vision for the future in terms of creating more opportunities for young people.”
Absent from several mayoral debates, Wharton says he’s been selective. “They (Wharton’s opponents) relish the debates because it gives them the opportunity to build themselves up and tear me down.”
Wharton says the attacks are expected because of media hype and the perception of him as front-runner. “I never said I was the front-runner.”
Professional wrestler Jerry Lawler is urging voters to make up their own minds and not be persuaded by polls.
“The polls say not one African American voted for Jerry Lawler. I talked to some people who said they’ve already voted for me.”
At this point, it’s about trying to be as visible as possible, said Lawler, adding, “I didn’t have the huge amount of money like A C.”
Early voting ended Saturday and since then Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery has put additional focus on trying to sway the remaining undecided voters.
“For those of you who are undecided, consider what we’ve done during the last two months,” Lowery says in a recent TV commercial. “We have complete transparency in city government. We’re actively fighting crime and we’re cleaning up Memphis.
And, Lowery concludes, “You know I have the courage to lead.”
Meanwhile, Lowery has been canvassing the community in his official capacity as mayor pro tem and as a candidate in the special election.
“I’m making a lot of phone calls and asking people what we can do for them as mayor.”
That’s in keeping with his campaign pitch phrase: “He’s already doing what others are only promising to do!”
Candidate profiles
Mayoral election - 2009: Charles CarpenterMayoral election - 2009: Carol ChumneyMayoral election - 2009: Wanda HalbertMayoral election - 2009: Jerry LawlerMayoral election - 2009: Myron LoweryMayoral election - 2009: Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr.Mayoral election - 2009: AC Wharton Jr.
