Political pundits expect the 9th Congressional District race between U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and former Memphis Mayor Dr. Willie W. Herenton, two political adversaries, to be hard fought and racially charged – even by Memphis standards.

Dr. Willie W. Herenton

The Cohen/Herenton match-up is being watched closely by political analysts and covered by numerous national publications including the New York Times. Their question: Will this campaign foster racism?

“This race is going to be about inclusion and diversity,” Herenton responded recently, matter-of-factly.

On Saturday (Feb. 6) at 1 p.m., Herenton will kick off his campaign for Congress at the Holiday Inn on the campus of the University of Memphis. In an interview on Monday, the five-term mayor explained why he’s challenging the two-term congressman who represents a district that is predominately African American.

“I am running on the need for proportional representation within the Tennessee Congressional Delegation,” said Herenton. “I am fighting and standing on principles that support our Democratic form of government that purports to support inclusion and diversity in its governmental structure.”

Of the nine representatives in the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, not one is African American, Herenton noted. “What’s wrong with this picture?” he then asked.

Herenton expects African Americans and constituents who believe “in a representative government” to support his campaign. “The Tennessee Delegation, as it is currently configured, does not provide inclusion and diversity that is reflective of the people of the great state of Tennessee,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen

Cohen was not available for comment. However, the congressman’s chief of staff, Marilyn Dillihay, said that Cohen has brought federal funds to the district and addressed numerous issues of concern to his constituents.

“The information is readily available on his Web site and also in the newsletters that he regularly sends to his constituents,” she said. “His legislative record is reported in the media as well. He has received praise from President Obama, (U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy) Pelosi and from (House Judiciary) Chairman John Conyers for the representation he’s given the 9th district.”

Herenton and Cohen are scheduled to debate July 11, from 7 – 8 p.m., at WREG-TV Channel 3, 803 Channel 3 Drive. The station is sponsoring the debate.

The 9th district is located in the southwestern corner of Tennessee and positioned entirely within Shelby County. It is the state’s only majority African-American district, which was created in 1983 based on the 1980 census.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 50.7 percent of Shelby County’s population (908,515) is African American. The population in Tennessee is 6,144,104; 16.5 percent is African American.

In 1974, when Harold Ford Sr. was elected to Congress, he became the first African American to represent Tennessee in Congress.

The elder Ford served 22 years in Congress, then was succeeded by his son, Harold Ford Jr., in 1997. A member of the Ford family occupied the seat for 32 years, until the 2006 congressional race.

Cohen, then a 24-year state senator, won the primary that year and defeated the elder Ford’s son, Jake, in the general election with 60 percent of the vote. He was the first Jewish congressman from Tennessee.

Herenton and his campaign manager, Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism, said that the district was redrawn to give voice to African-American concerns and provide the community with representation. “We want the seat back,” Chism said.

‘We can do better’

As the former mayor of the country’s 18th largest city, Herenton said he was compelled to run for Congress. “If we don’t get inclusion and diversity now – with the Republicans being in the majority – we could lose the seat forever,” Herenton said. “That’s why I’m compelled to run for this office.”

So far, Herenton hasn’t started a public fundraising effort for the race against Cohen, who reportedly has more than $1 million in his coffers to fend off the challenge from Herenton.

“I don’t have any money. Money won’t win this race for Cohen. Money doesn’t vote. It will buy a few votes; it will buy a few people. But it won’t be enough to buy a win.

“We will clearly convey to the citizens of the 9th Congressional District that Cohen has not done a good job. We have statistical information with regard to federal appropriations, grants, earmarks.”

Herenton’s campaign theme is “We can do better.”

“We will win handily,” said a confident Herenton. “I don’t see this as being a close race. If this becomes a close race, it will represent a sad commentary on the political and civic life in Memphis – especially among people of color, people who lack inclusion.”

He said the timing is right and that “God has always placed me in time and space in critical junctures in our history. I became superintendent; I broke that barrier. I won five consecutive races. Now in the twilight years of my life, I’m in the arena to preserve or to recapture diversity. I don’t have a choice.”

Herenton believes his administrative experience in local government is good preparation for Congress.

“Of all of the officials in our governmental hierarchal structure, the person who implements and administers public policy knows better what works and what does not work,” he said. “That’s why I’m going to Washington.”

On April 23, Herenton will turn 70. He says he is in good health and has the energy and vitality to keep a rigorous pace that is often required of representatives in Congress.

Herenton is not concerned that other African Americans may enter the race.  “They won’t be significant,” he said. “We will win this race because we are standing on principles.”

He said a photograph of the entire Tennessee Congressional Delegation would be disseminated on the campaign trail to help African-Americans get the picture about the need for an African-American representative.

“Do you know when I show people this…It’s amazing to me. For most of them…they’re bright. They get it right away.”