- FAST FACTS:
- City Court Clerk Thomas Long Will Not Run for Mayor
- Wharton Picks Up Long's Endorsement
- Is A C Wharton the Front-Runner?
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(MEMPHIS August 25, 2009 7:59 PM) -- It's a crowded field. One after the other, potential candidates pulled petitions.
Now, as many predicted, some candidates are stepping aside. On Monday, Willie Herenton said he's not going to run. Today, City Court Clerk Thomas Long made the same call.
Both say County Mayor A C Wharton is the favorite to win the city's top job, but Wharton says no matter how many politicians predict he'll prevail, he's going to take a pass on running a passive campaign.
"I'm running like President Obama is running against me. I'm running as if I'm way behind," Wharton says.
With the spotlight, you also have to take the jabs. On the Thaddeus Matthews Radio Show Herenton called the position of county mayor ceremonial and powerless. He also said Wharton should thank him for not entering the race.
"By not running, I simply just pass the baton to A C Wharton," Herenton said.
So does Wharton plan on sending the former mayor a thank-you card?
"Oh, I thank anybody who gives me any kind of help, whether it's back-handed help, front-handed help, or whatever," Wharton says.
Other candidates in the race say he'll need even more help. They don't give much credence to all this talk of Wharton being the front-runner.
"I'm just fed up with the status quo. It does not work, and with A C Wharton you get more of the same," says Candidate Charles Carpenter.
