Q&A: District 2 candidates for Memphis City Council talk priorities, experience
The race for the open District 2 seat on the Memphis City Council is packed, with six candidates vying for the seat left empty by Frank Colvett.
Colvett, whose term on the council ends this year, had announced a run for mayor but dropped out in July.
All but two seats on the Memphis City Council are contested in this year's election, scheduled for Oct. 5. Early voting runs from Sept. 15 through Sept. 30.
The Commercial Appeal reached out to each candidate running for City Council to ask for written answers to questions about their background and priorities if elected.
To read responses from candidates for other City Council districts, click here.
To see a full list of all the candidates who qualified for the upcoming Memphis Municipal Election, click here.
Responses have been edited for length and AP style.
Keith Burks
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: My life’s experiences have prepared me to work hard, overcome obstacles and live a life of unselfish service. I was born and raised in the Lamar Terrace Public Housing Projects, excelling in the classroom and on the athletic field. I began my collegiate career at Delta State University in 1987 and ended with a master’s degree in Education at the University of Memphis and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. At the age of 19, I joined the United States Army, spending 21 years of service. My professional experience includes production management, quality management, mentoring, tutoring and substitute teaching. My humble background has prepared me to be a leader as well as a follower, a team player as well as a manager, a scholar as well as an educator, and have a desire to be an inspiration that enables the citizens of Memphis to improve its current conditions. I currently serve as the Quality Manager at International Flavors and Fragrances, a company that specializes in producing Soy Proteins.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am a candidate for City Council because I love Memphis. I was born and raised right here in the River City. Becoming the representative for District 2 would be an honor and a challenge, but a challenge that I’m ready and willing to accept. Without any political office experience, I must admit, I don’t have all the answers to the issues that plague our city, but, if elected, I can assure my constituents that I will work diligently to create a positive impact that will improve the City of Memphis.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: My primary focus would be:
Youth. 2. Crime. 3. Transparency in government
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: Crime.
Will Frazier
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: I am a lifelong Memphian, growing up in Whitehaven, graduating from Fairley High School and then LeMoyne-Owen College before founding Will Frazier and Associates, an insurance and investment firm focused on securing the financial future of its clients. As a means of accelerating change in my community, I have served in many capacities including president of the Greater Whitehaven Development Corporation and board member of the Shelby County Alcohol Commission. I'm also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Memphis Class (2023).
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am driven by a deep passion for serving my community and a strong belief in the power of effective leadership to create positive change. As an entrepreneur, advocate and father, I am committed to the future of Memphis. My personal and professional experience gives me the perspective we need on the City Council: A vision centered around collaboration, transparency and inclusivity as essential principles for creating a thriving and equitable city for all residents.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: My priority is a Safe Memphis, a Clean Memphis and a Prosperous Memphis. At the core of my campaign are three central issues: public safety, infrastructure investment and economic growth. Programs ranging from crime prevention to effective policing address the full spectrum of crime. Our city is also in need of a significant investment in its roads, bridges and failing infrastructure. Promoting job creation and supporting the establishment of an equitable living wage fosters critical economic growth.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: Our great city has many strengths, but Memphis also faces a complex history of issues and challenges. One of our foremost challenges is poverty, with studies placing Memphis near the top among comparable cities. There are also disparities in areas such as employment and housing based on race. My policy priorities will address the short-term and long-term effects of poverty and ensure equitable access to opportunities, resources and support.
"IF I DON'T WHO WILL?”
Jerri Green
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: Both my legal career, where I focused on public service, and the last two years as senior policy advisor for (Shelby County) Mayor (Lee) Harris, have prepared me for this office. In my current role, I have passed legislation and led projects focused on public safety, living wages, blight remediation, refugee assistance, LQBTQIA supports and women’s rights. I have proven to be an out-of-the-box thinker and successful leader, something District 2 needs.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I have three special interests ― my three children. They have grown up experiencing lockdown drills as the norm, experiencing repeated blackouts in the summer heat, experiencing the lack of resources in public schools. I want them to be proud to call Memphis home, now and in the future. To do that, we need more common sense, compassion and change in City Hall. I am ready to bring all that for them and all Memphians.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: I believe we need to focus on increasing public safety, improving infrastructure and investing in our next generation. We must use common sense approaches to make our neighborhoods safer and support resources for law enforcement. We will challenge the status quo by making brave investments in our utility infrastructure and hold MLGW accountable. We also need to enrich our afterschool programming and create more educational opportunities for youth.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: Like many places, the greatest challenge in Memphis is adhering to the status quo. We need more leaders who are willing to enact creative solutions and think outside of the box, who will use data alongside common sense, who will step outside of their bubble and show compassion to those in need. Memphis is full of great people grinding every day to make it better. We need leadership that is ready to help them, not stand in their way.
Scott McCormick
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: I have over 11 years legislative experience. I served on the Memphis City Council from 2004 ― 2008, serving as chairman in 2008. I served six years on the Shelby County School Board, from 2014 ― 2020, serving as Vice Chair in 2019.
Plus, I have served on numerous boards important to our community:
Trustee, Regional One Health (formally The Med)
Regional One Health Extended Care Hospital, Chairman of the Board
Memphis Zoological Society
The Family Safety Center
Riverfront Development Corporation
Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I believe in the potential Memphis has in its future with the right leadership. Aside from the challenges this city faces e.g., crime, poverty, infrastructure decline, we have a wonderful community with many amenities for our citizens. My goal is to focus on the issues that hold us back and get Memphis going in the right direction.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: In my district: Crime is the number one issue. Next would be the proliferation of rental houses by out-of-town entities. Many of these homes are left in disrepair and the owners are non-responsive. Last, the overall cleanliness of District 2. We need a clean community. A clean community promotes a safe community.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A:
Crime
Poverty
Education
Race Relations
Rodanial Ray Ransom
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A:
United States Navy Ret. Experienced in working with and in diverse groups as well as people with different ideologies/philosophies to get goals accomplished
Doctoral Candidate, Public Administration with focus on Law & Policy
Master of Science Leadership
Bachelor of Arts pre-law studies
Bachelor of Science workforce education, development and training
Associate of Applied Science Culinary Science
Leadership experience
Shelby County Deputy Registrar
Shelby County Democratic Party Judicial Review Board
Shelby County Grass Roots Council
Memphis Academy of Civic Engagement graduate
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am running for this position because I believe that we are at a crossroads in Memphis. We can either change course and start addressing the causes of our problems or we can continue to be reactive, leading us further down the path of stagnation and further away from the better future we are capable of. We need a fresh approach, and I believe I have the vision and the plan to achieve that better future.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: My first priority is addressing crime. The largest driver of the huge increase in the crime rate, and the feeling of not being safe in our city, is the lack of a sense of community by so many of our youth. Too many of our children see no viable future for themselves and turn to criminal activity as a means of immediate gratification.
My second priority is expanding our job market and job access. Again, this starts in the schools, by offering more non-college options. By offering training in those areas, by strengthening unions to make sure those jobs remain well-paying, and by investing in public transportation, we can grow our labor force and make sure that our citizens are able to earn the decent living that we all want for ourselves and our children.
My third priority is improving our infrastructure. We should not have to worry about our power going out every time the wind blows, driving on city streets should not require weekly car repairs due to the potholes in our roads and we must protect our aquifer, particularly from the industrial users whose only concern is their profit margins.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: The largest challenge we face as a city is that too many of our citizens, especially our youngest citizens, live in poverty. This poverty is reflected in so many of our issues that by making progress on this we are simultaneously moving forward on so many of our other problems — crime, education, housing, etc. We must grow our economy in ways that allow all our citizens to share in the wealth.
Marvin White
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: With 30 years of diverse experience in business and non-profit sectors, I navigate complex challenges, develop strategic solutions and commit to community service. Serving organizations like Memphis Rebounders, Leadership Memphis and Big Brothers Big Sisters, I gained invaluable insights into our city's needs. Leveraging this experience, I'm eager to foster an inclusive community and contribute to Memphis's progress. Together, let's build a brighter future!
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I'm running because I believe in Memphis's potential and the need for positive change. My 2019 campaign's support in District 2 reinforced this conviction. Challenges like crime, poverty and education require immediate attention. I'll collaborate, leveraging my background, experience and community connections to drive real change. Uniting the community and implementing thoughtful policies, we'll make Memphis safer, more prosperous and inclusive for everyone.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A:
Addressing crime: Implementing comprehensive prevention strategies, focusing on community policing and partnerships with law enforcement is my priority.
Retention and quality of life: Improving city services and fostering job opportunities will retain residents and attract newcomers.
Economic empowerment and education: Supporting businesses and investing in education will strengthen our local economy and improve academic outcomes. Together, we unlock our district's potential, making Memphis a place where all thrive. Let's build a brighter future, fostering a safer, more prosperous and inclusive district.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: Memphis's challenges include crime, community development, education and job access. Equitable policies can link investments and opportunities for positive change. With the right leaders on the City Council, we'll ensure checks and balances, unlocking our full potential. I believe in Memphis's ability to change for the better and look forward to representing District 2 on the Memphis City Council this fall.
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 City Council District 2 candidates on crime, infrastructure
