Emerging contenders for U.S. Congress introduced themselves Wednesday, July 8, to voters – some learning about their district candidates for the first time – at a political forum in Memphis, hosted by a nonprofit group of faith leaders.
Republican lawmakers’ redrawing of the state’s congressional map, dividing Memphis into three districts, has left many voters wondering where to vote in upcoming elections and unclear about which candidates would vie for their vote.
The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis, a social justice advocacy organization established in 2020, hosted the candidates forum at the historic Mount Olive Cathedral CME Church downtown, ahead of early voting, which begins July 17.
Rev. Dr. Wayne Williams, senior pastor of the host church, opened the evening by reminding the audience about the stakes.
“Democracy is on the ballot,” said Williams, “As a matter of fact, everything is on the ballot. That’s why we’re here.”
The forum, moderated by Action News 5 anchor and investigative reporter Kelli Cook, gave voters an opportunity to hear directly from congressional candidates. For some attendees, however, it was the first time they learned about being reassigned to a new congressional district.
“Since the redistricting, there are voters who are just realizing tonight that their district has changed,” said Debra Brown, one of the event’s organizers. “The forum gave the community direct access to candidates running in their respective districts and gave information so that voters can make informed decisions.”
Local resident Paula Thomas is among those affected by redistricting. Thomas questioned whether candidates seeking to represent newly configured districts understand the communities they hope to serve.
“Have you physically driven through and know what the lay of the land is in Memphis, because I don’t know you,” said Thomas. “I don’t see any signs in my community for those that say they are here to represent us. They need to knock on doors like back in the day, because we do not know them.”
Thomas also was disappointed, she said, that the candidates at the forum failed to address the impact of the SpaceXAI development in Southwest Memphis, the growing number of data centers and their rising utility and power demands. She believes these issues are increasingly important to established neighborhoods, especially those newly assigned to the 5th Congressional District, where the supercomputing facilities are located.
A range of issues sparked debate during the forum, from Tennessee’s state-appointed school oversight board, economic development and healthcare to housing affordability, rising consumer costs, corporate taxes, congressional unity and the war in Iran.
New and recognizable candidates from the two major political parties and a Libertarian participated in the hourslong forum on Wednesday evening:
District 5: Devante Hill, Rachel Hurley and Carrie Iacomini
District 8: Gordon Bryan, Jordan Hinders, Heidi Kuhn, clerk for Shelby County Criminal Court, Pamela Moses, Leonard Perkins and Horace Taylor
District 9: M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams, Charlotte Bergmann, state Sen. London Lamar, a Democrat who represents state senate District 33, state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat who represents state house District 86, and Jim Tomasik
Before casting ballots, voters can confirm their congressional district, polling location and registration status by visiting the Tennessee Secretary of State website, sos.tn.gov, click on “Elections” at the top of the homepage, and then click on “GoVoteTN.” The Shelby County Election Commission also provides information and resources for voters at electionsshelbytn.gov.
Primary elections will be held for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, odd-numbered districts for Tennessee Senate, Tennessee House, and Republican and Democratic state executive committees. And general elections will be held during early voting and on Election Day for vacant state judicial offices and some county offices, including the county’s mayoral race.
Early voting begins Friday, July 17, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 1. Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6.
