2009 Memphis mayoral special election

none January 2025 September 2023 Memphis Flag of Memphis, Tennessee.svg presidential no 2007 Memphis mayoral election 2007 2011 Memphis mayoral election 2011 October 15, 2009 File:A C Wharton 8b9747d501dc52e57bad57a4997d0e6c (3x4a).JPG 150x150px A C Wharton Nonpartisan politician 65,529 59.89% File:3x4.svg Myron Lowery Nonpartisan politician 19,644 17.95% File:3x4.svg Carol Chumney Nonpartisan politician 10,863 9.93% Mayor Myron Lowery (pro tem) Nonpartisan A C Wharton Nonpartisan The 2009 Memphis mayoral special election took place on October 15, 2009. Mayor Willie Herenton resigned on July 30, 2009, in anticipation of his 2010 campaign against Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen.Baker Jackson Herenton has left the building Action 5 News July 30, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee https://www.actionnews5.com/story/10821267/herenton-has-left-the-building/ July 21, 2025 Following Herenton's resignation, City Council Chairman Myron Lowery, a former WMC-TV news reporter, was elevated as Mayor Pro Tem, and served until the special election.McMillin Zack Lowery takes long path to top job The Commercial Appeal June 26, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177170376/ July 21, 2025 Though Herenton suggested that he might run in the ensuing special election because of Lowery's "reckless style of leadership,"Doniach Alex Mayoral madness: Herenton may attempt to replace himself as mayor, citing 'reckless' Lowery The Commercial Appeal August 14, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177171144/ July 21, 2025 Herenton ultimately opted not to.Maki Amos Herenton: I won't run for mayor The Commercial Appeal August 25, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177171746/ July 21, 2025 Twenty-five candidates ran in the special election, including Lowery, County Mayor A C Wharton, former City Councilmember Carol Chumney, attorney Charles Carpenter, and professional wrestler Jerry Lawler. Wharton ended up winning the election in a landslide, receiving 60 percent of the vote.Doniach Alex Hot for AC: Wharton wins with 60 percent of vote; turnout less than 25 percent Memphis Flyer October 16, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177173801/ July 21, 2025 General election Candidates A C Wharton, Mayor of Shelby CountyMcMillin Zack Several potential candidates The Commercial Appeal June 26, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177172262/ July 21, 2025 Myron Lowery, incumbent Mayor Pro TemDoniach Alex Crowded race has observers guessing The Commercial Appeal August 2, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177172119/ July 21, 2025 Carol Chumney, Memphis City Councilmember, 2007 candidate for Mayor Charles Carpenter, attorney, Herenton campaign managerMcMillin Zack Herenton political chief, wrestler to enter race The Commercial Appeal July 9, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee DSA3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177172753/ July 21, 2025 Jerry Lawler, former professional wrestler Kenneth Whalum, Jr., Memphis City School Board memberMcMillin Zack Whalum will run for mayor in special election The Commercial Appeal June 30, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177170802/ July 21, 2025 John Willingham, former County Commissioner, 2003 and 2007 candidate for Mayor of Memphis, 2006 Republican nominee for Mayor of Shelby CountyMcMillin Zack Mayor's race crowded - 31 pull petitions The Commercial Appeal August 19, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177171458/ July 21, 2025 Wanda Halbert, City CouncilmemberMcMillin Zack Halbert running for mayor The Commercial Appeal August 4, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177171034/ July 21, 2025 Detric W. Stigall, city park services administratorMeet the Candidates: Detric Stigall The Commercial Appeal September 18, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177172545/ July 21, 2025 Robert Hodges, perennial candidatePrince Mongo joins Memphis mayor's race Action 5 News July 24, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee https://www.actionnews5.com/story/10782215/prince-mongo-joins-memphis-mayors-race/ July 21, 2025 Sharon A. Webb, Memphis City Schools Board member, 2007 candidate for MayorBaker Jackson Who's on First? 28 People, Maybe 29 File for Mayor Memphis Flyer September 3, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee https://www.memphisflyer.com/whos-on-first-28-people-maybe-29-file-for-mayor July 21, 2025 E. C. Jones, former City CouncilmemberDoniach Alex After sentencing, dad turns candidate The Commercial Appeal August 15, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177172956/ July 21, 2025 Leo AwGoWhat Silky Sullivan, Beale Street restaurateurDoniach Alex 36 put hats in mayoral circus ring The Commercial Appeal September 4, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177173172/ July 21, 2025 Mary Wright Dewey Clark, bail bondsmanMeet the Candidates: Dewey Clark The Commercial Appeal September 20, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177173243/ July 21, 2025 Menelik Fombi Johnny Hatcher, Jr. Randy L. Cagle, businessman, 2007 candidate for Mayor James M. Clingan David W. Vinciarelli Constance Houston Ernest A. Lunati De Wayne Jones Vuong Vaughn Vo Declined Jack Sammons, former City CouncilmemberMcMillin Zack Lowery begins transition to mayor The Commercial Appeal July 1, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177170750/ July 21, 2025 Jim Strickland, City CouncilmemberDoniach Alex One less to run in mayoral election The Commercial Appeal July 25, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177171900/ July 21, 2025 Willie Herenton, former Mayor Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear "Key" Marginof error A CWharton CarolChumney MyronLowery CharlesCarpenter KennethWhalum Jr. JerryLawler LeoAwGoWhat WandaHalbert RobertHodges UndecidedMason-Dixon Polling & StrategyMcMillin Zack Survey puts Wharton in lead The Commercial Appeal September 18, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1, A7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177174028/ July 21, 2025September 14–16, 2009400 (LV)± 5.0%45%11%10%5%3%2%1%1%1%21%WREG Channel 3 NewsMcMillin Zack Wharton widens lead in new poll The Commercial Appeal October 13, 2009 Memphis, Tennessee A1, A3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/177174244/ July 21, 2025October 9–11, 2009400 (LV)± 5.0%53%9%16%3%5%4%–––7% Results 2009 Memphis mayoral special election resultsElection Summary Report - Special State Primaries and Municipal Elections - Shelby County, TN Shelby County Election Commission October 23, 2009 http://www.shelbyvote.com/scVote/dotShowDoc/scvote/ElectionReport/Content/ESR%20101509.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101217153723/http://www.shelbyvote.com/scVote/dotShowDoc/scvote/ElectionReport/Content/ESR%20101509.pdf December 17, 2010 July 21, 2025 A C Wharton Nonpartisan candidate 65,529 59.89% Myron Lowery (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 19,644 17.95% Carol Chumney Nonpartisan candidate 10,863 9.93% Charles Carpenter Nonpartisan candidate 5,187 4.74% Jerry Lawler Nonpartisan candidate 4,049 3.70% Kenneth Whalum, Jr. Nonpartisan candidate 2,099 1.92% John Willingham Nonpartisan candidate 438 0.40% Wanda Halbert Nonpartisan candidate 372 0.34% Detric W. Stigall Nonpartisan candidate 280 0.26% Robert Hodges Nonpartisan candidate 267 0.24% Sharon A. Webb Nonpartisan candidate 124 0.11% E. C. Jones Nonpartisan candidate 85 0.08% Leo AwGoWhat Nonpartisan candidate 54 0.05% Silky Sullivan Nonpartisan candidate 51 0.05% Mary Wright Nonpartisan candidate 42 0.04% Dewey Clark Nonpartisan candidate 40 0.04% Menelik Fombi Nonpartisan candidate 36 0.03% Johnny Hatcher, Jr. Nonpartisan candidate 33 0.03% Randy L. Cagle Nonpartisan candidate 29 0.03% James M. Clingan Nonpartisan candidate 27 0.02% David W. Vinciarelli Nonpartisan candidate 27 0.02% Constance Houston Nonpartisan candidate 25 0.02% Ernest A. Lunati Nonpartisan candidate 22 0.02% De Wayne Jones Nonpartisan candidate 21 0.02% Vuong Vaughn Vo Nonpartisan candidate 20 0.02% write-ins 55 0.05% 109,408 100.00% Notes References 2 Category:2009 United States mayoral elections 2009 Category:October 2009 in the United States