FAST FACTS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG-TV) - More drama at Memphis City Hall today. Former mayor Willie Herenton went to the Shelby County Election Commission office this morning and pulled petitions to run for the office he vacated just two weeks ago.
The petition is the first step to run for office. Any potential candidate has to pull the petition and gather signatures from registered voters, before he or she is allowed to run.
Shortly after the news broke, the former mayor issued this statement:
"Citizens of Memphis, my primary political goal is to represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have every intention of being a congressional candidate during the August 2010 election."
"However, during the interim, recent events have compelled me to step forth to provide leadership and express my sincere feelings on how our city can continue to move forward, despite our current dilemma."
"My recent retirement from the office of Mayor has created this situation and I feel obligated to seek alternatives to Myron Lowery and an 'anyone can win' mayoral race. The city I love deserves better."
"Therefore, I am also preparing a referendum resolution that would allow the citizens of Memphis to rescind the current charter amendment that elevated Myron Lowery to the office of Mayor Pro Tem. This resolution would prescribe limitations on the powers of a non-elected mayor"
"It is clear to many citizens that my retirement from office created opportunities for Mayor Pro Tem Lowery and a puzzling list of mayoral candidates to turn our city backward. I am disappointed in Myron's reckless style of leadership. He must be stopped."
"We cannot allow Mayor Pro Tem Lowery to be elected mayor during the upcoming special election. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict a clear winner with a complicated array of mayoral candidates in the race. Therefore, I have pulled a petition to run in the upcoming mayoral special election."
- Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton pulls a petition to run in the special election for mayor.
- Herenton just left office on July 31st.
- In his statement, Herenton says he's "disappointed" with Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery's performance.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG-TV) - More drama at Memphis City Hall today. Former mayor Willie Herenton went to the Shelby County Election Commission office this morning and pulled petitions to run for the office he vacated just two weeks ago.
The petition is the first step to run for office. Any potential candidate has to pull the petition and gather signatures from registered voters, before he or she is allowed to run.
Shortly after the news broke, the former mayor issued this statement:
"Citizens of Memphis, my primary political goal is to represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have every intention of being a congressional candidate during the August 2010 election."
"However, during the interim, recent events have compelled me to step forth to provide leadership and express my sincere feelings on how our city can continue to move forward, despite our current dilemma."
"My recent retirement from the office of Mayor has created this situation and I feel obligated to seek alternatives to Myron Lowery and an 'anyone can win' mayoral race. The city I love deserves better."
"Therefore, I am also preparing a referendum resolution that would allow the citizens of Memphis to rescind the current charter amendment that elevated Myron Lowery to the office of Mayor Pro Tem. This resolution would prescribe limitations on the powers of a non-elected mayor"
"It is clear to many citizens that my retirement from office created opportunities for Mayor Pro Tem Lowery and a puzzling list of mayoral candidates to turn our city backward. I am disappointed in Myron's reckless style of leadership. He must be stopped."
"We cannot allow Mayor Pro Tem Lowery to be elected mayor during the upcoming special election. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict a clear winner with a complicated array of mayoral candidates in the race. Therefore, I have pulled a petition to run in the upcoming mayoral special election."
