Meet the candidates for Memphis mayor

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Election Day is this Thursday, Oct. 8, and the mayoral candidates’ campaigns are wrapping up as each hopes to win your vote.

Who should lead our city? Read up on the candidates before you cast your ballot.

Harold Collins

Harold Collins is a graduate of Memphis Catholic High School and received his college education at the University of Memphis.

He has worked with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office for years and even is responsible for the mentoring program for seven middle schools, which include Chickasaw, Georgian Hills, Hamilton, Hickory Ridge, Shannon, Westwood and Winridge Middle Schools.

He was elected to the Memphis City Council in November 2007 and served as the chairman from July 2009 to December 2010.

Collins has served the community in many capacities over the years. He was the owner and operator of the probation firm, Advanced Corrections, served as the president of the National Convocation of Christian Church Disciples of Christ and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Memphis Athletic Ministries and the Community Advisory Board of Methodist Hospital South.

Harold Collins for Mayor

Campaign Facebook Page

Collins’ Opening Statements in WREG Debate

Jim Strickland

Jim Strickland serves the Memphis community as an attorney for Kustoff & Strickland, PLLC and as a member of the City Council.

He was first elected by the citizens for that role in October 2007. Since then he has served as the vice chairman (2013) and the chairman (2014) for the Council.

On his website, Strickland says his main focus has always been, and will continue to be, improving public safety, expanding educational opportunities for young children and cleaning up the blight in our city.

Jim Strickland for Mayor

Campaign Facebook Page

Strickland’s Opening Statements in WREG Debate

Mayor A C Wharton

Mayor A C Wharton grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee, and attended Tennessee State University, where he majored in political science. In 1968, he was accepted to the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he excelled in the classroom. He graduated with honors in 1971 and landed a job three years later as the first African-American professor of law at his graduate alma mater. He taught at the university for approximately 25 years.

It was during that time period that Wharton moved to Memphis to become the executive director of Memphis Area Legal Services in 1973, and then the Chief Public Defender in 1980.

In 2002, Wharton was elected as the first African-American mayor of Shelby County and then seven years later replaced Willie Herenton as the Memphis mayor.

Wharton For Mayor Website

Wharton’s Facebook Page

Opening Statements in WREG Debate

Mike Williams

Mike Williams was born and raised in North Memphis. He graduated fro Manassas High School in 1978 and then joined the Army upon graduation.

He served our country for 21 years and finally retired as an intelligence warrant officer.

Upon his retirement from the military, Williams decided to come back to his hometown and joined the Memphis Police Department. Since then, he has worked his way up to become the president of the Memphis Police Association.

He has also served his community as the chief negotiator for Memphis Police, as the vice president of the MPA and through the MPA Charitable Foundation, which works to improve relationships between the group and the community.