What Memphis mayoral candidates have to say on policing, public safety after Tyre Nichols
After the death of Tyre Nichols, the city of Memphis has faced a public reckoning over police policies, practices and transparency.
The Memphis City Council has passed multiple police reforms, while MPD Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland disbanded the SCORPION Unit, whose members included the five police officers charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death.
But the conversations about policing also come on the front end of a race for the next Memphis mayor. So far, roughly a dozen people have entered the race, even though petitions cannot be pulled until May 22 and the actual election is not until Oct. 5.
More: Memphis passes 'Achieving Driving Equality' ordinance after Tyre Nichols' death
The next mayor of Memphis is likely to determine the future of policing in the city, including who serves as the police chief and what policies are implemented.
The Commercial Appeal reached out to the campaigns of each mayoral candidate who so far has declared a run for mayor. Each campaign was asked the same set of questions about policing and public safety, the answers to which are linked below in alphabetical order by last name.
Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton told The Commercial Appeal he plans to release his public safety plan in his own time rather than reply to the Q&A.
Former Shelby County Commissioner James Harvey did not reply to The CA’s inquiry.
Daniel Abston
Age: 40
Full Q&A with Daniel Abston on policing, public safety
Experience: Owner of Edge Fitness DeSoto and locomotive engineer for Canadian National Railroad
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): My personal background has no history in politics. My family has been involved in the fitness industry for 40 years and at one time owned the largest self-owned chain of health clubs in West Tennessee. From a very young age, my stepfather always forced the leadership and business mentality on to me.
I’m involved in real estate, owner of Edge Fitness Desoto and a locomotive engineer for the Canadian National Railroad. With all three of these careers, you have to deal with many people and twice as many personalities all while staying forward focused. With being a business owner and expanding I’ve had to deal with banks, contractors and city leaders. My 11 years in the railroad it taught me forward planning, always think ten steps ahead. In the railroad industry we fix problems before they become a problem instead chasing down issues.
What really qualifies me to be mayor, I would say for 40 years this city has elected professionals that were qualified and look what they’ve done to this city. You can have all the qualified ribbons and medals on your chest that will fit but if you’re not a leader you’ll crack from the top down.
Floyd Bonner
Age: 64
Full Q&A with Floyd Bonner on policing, public safety
Experience: Shelby County Sheriff since 2018
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): I have over 42 years of law enforcement experience and have worked in every major area of law enforcement, from undercover narcotics to the Sherriff of Shelby County. I am CEO of the largest Sheriff’s office in Tennessee and annually manage a $180 million budget and a staff of more than 2,000. And under my leadership, my administration received the prestigious Triple Crown Award for excellence
Joe Brown
Age: 75
Full Q&A with Joe Brown on policing, public safety
Experience: Former judge and public defender, on the “Judge Joe Brown” television show for 15 years
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words):
A political science bachelor of arts and a juris doctor
Memphis & Shelby County Legal Services (Poverty Law) (As a Reginald H Smith Community Lawyer Fellow out of Howard University)
EEOC/Investigative Officer (U.S. Government)
Prosecutor (Special DUI Court. First Black Prosecutor for Memphis)
Chief Public Defender
Private Practice (Focusing on criminal trial law, both state and federal)
Part-time public defender (Major Violators and Habitual Offenders Unit)
Volunteer lead instructor and senior trial attorney for Public Defenders Capital Defense Team
Judge Division IX, Criminal Division of Tennessee State Circuit Courts for the 30th Judicial Circuit (Two Terms)
Judge Joe Brown TV Show (15 years)
Successful appeal before Arkansas Supreme Court resulting in unanimous overturn of first degree murder convictions for world’s youngest death row inmate (Ron Ward)
Last judge on James Earl Ray (MLK) matter
Karen Camper
Age: 65
Full Q&A with Karen Camper on policing, public safety
Experience: Tennessee House Minority Leader, assumed office in the House of Representatives in 2008
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): I am a 21-year veteran of the United States Army, an eight-term state representative from the 87th House District, the Democratic Minority Leader in the Tennessee General Assembly, a non-profit executive with the Humble Hearts Foundation and a former substitute teacher where I taught students from K-12. I am a native Memphian who after military service returned to our city to give back to the community that gave so much to me.
Frank Colvett
Age: 54
Full Q&A with Frank Colvett on policing, public safety
Experience: Memphis City Councilman since 2016 and real estate agent
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): I've owned a small business for many years in Memphis. Then, I was elected to the City Council in November 2015 and have served two terms including chairman of the council. These experiences have taught me the value of faith, family and responsible business practices. I’m running because what we’re doing now isn’t working, and I have both the governmental and outside business experience to bring people together to move Memphis forward.
JW Gibson
Age: 60
Full Q&A with JW Gibson on policing, public safety
Experience: Businessman and former Shelby County Commissioner
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): I am JW Gibson. I am a proud product of Memphis. I was born in Dixie Homes and raised by a working-class family in South Memphis. My life experiences make me uniquely qualified to be our next mayor. As a veteran, businessman, philanthropist and former county commissioner I have fostered an opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Reggie Hall
Age: 45
Full Q&A with Reggie Hall on policing, public safety
Experience: Trucking company owner
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): Having been a community activist and child advocate for over 20 years, I have worked tirelessly to provoke positive change in Memphis. I have remained steadfast in my pursuit of social justice and financial literacy for the disenfranchised among us. The road has been rough, and victories have been extremely difficult, but I continue to fight the good fight. That is why I will bring common sense solutions, expansive communication and vibrant ideas to the city.
Michelle McKissack
Age: 53
Full Q&A with Michelle McKissack on policing, public safety
Experience: Member of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, former broadcast journalist
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words):My qualifications for mayor are rooted in my 20+ years of executive level leadership as an elected official, Emmy-winning TV news anchor/producer and as a public servant and leader on numerous boards that shape Memphis including MATA (Memphis Area Transit Authority) and the MSCS (Memphis-Shelby County School) Board. I know how to get things done and I know what Memphis needs. It needs a strong mayor. She must have a bigger vision for our city and everyone who lives in it. She must represent everyone and always choose Memphis over any other place to live. I am that woman.
Background
Northwestern University BS, MS Journalism (Double major in journalism & urban planning)
Harvard Kennedy School Fellow 2022
Two-term Elected Official – Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board
Chair of MSCS Board (2021-2022), largest school district in Tennessee
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) Board
Broadcast news anchor, ABC-24, WREG-TV
Reporter – Memphis, Chicago, DC, Peoria
Emmy Award Winning TV Producer/Host
Memphis Parent Magazine editor
Memphis Symphony Board
Memphis River Parks Board
Tennessee School Board Association - Delta Regional Director
National Council of Urban Boards of Education
Van Turner
Age: 48
Full Q&A with Van Turner on policing, public safety
Experience: Attorney, president of the Memphis NAACP, former Shelby County Commissioner
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words):
I am a native of Whitehaven and raise my three children with my junior high sweetheart, Tammie, in Memphis. A graduate of Morehouse College and University of Tennessee Law school, where I served as the president of the Black Law Students Association. After law school, I clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Hardy Mays Jr. Currently, I am a partner at Turner Feild, PLLC and also head the non-profit which removed the Confederate statues of Nathan B. Forrest and Jefferson Davis from Memphis Parks. I was elected in 2014 and re-elected unopposed in 2018 as Shelby County Commissioner. Furthermore, I currently serve as president of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP.
I am running for Memphis Mayor because I want the same thing for my family that I want for all families in Memphis. Memphis will only become the city that we know it can become when we provide opportunities for all.
Paul Young
Age: 43
Full Q&A with Paul Young on policing, public safety
Experience: President of the Downtown Memphis Commission, former director of the Memphis Housing and Community Development
Candidate's background and qualifications for mayor (in their own words): I’m born, raised and live with my wife and two children in Memphis, and I truly love this city. I grew up in Oakhaven and am deeply passionate about community and neighborhood development. I currently serve as the president of the Downtown Memphis Commission. I’m running for mayor because Memphis needs a mayor that has been trained on how to build a great city and has been actively building a great city for the past 20 years. Memphis has a lot to offer, we just need the right leadership in place to maximize the opportunity before us. That’s why I’m running.
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Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis elections: Mayoral candidates talk policing, public safety
