Change of plans — again.
Interim state Rep. T.J. Hardaway has ended his write-in campaign for Tennessee House District 93. Instead, Hardaway announced Sept. 15 that he will pursue law school to prepare for future opportunities in public service.
Hardaway was appointed by the Shelby County Commission in May to the seat previously held by his late father, G.A. Hardaway. After announcing his departure from the race, he threw his support behind Kyler Gilkey. But that plan unraveled almost immediately when Gilkey was declared ineligible to have write-in votes counted in the Nov. 3 general election.
Tennessee election law prohibits a candidate defeated in a primary election from subsequently filing a request to have write-in votes counted in the general election.
Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins ruled Gilkey ineligible on Monday, Sept. 14, the write-in filing deadline, because Gilkey had been defeated in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary for House District 84. Five other write-in candidates qualified for the District 93 race.
That leaves Hardaway’s exit — rather than a handoff to Gilkey — as the latest major development in a District 93 race that has already seen several turns.
Before Gilkey was disqualified from running in the general election, Hardaway had said Gilkey brought the right experience and temperament to succeed him in District 93.
“I believe Kyler understands Memphis and Shelby County, understands the legislative process, and understands that this moment requires leaders who are willing to earn it, listen, learn and show up regardless of the neighborhood,” Hardaway said. “I believe he can help move our community forward, and I am proud to stand with him and work alongside him.”
The disqualification comes because Gilkey challenged longtime District 84 Rep. Joe Towns Jr. in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary, finishing second with about 27% of the vote. Towns later resigned from the Legislature after winning election as Shelby County Criminal Court clerk, opening the door for Democratic officials to select a replacement nominee for the November ballot. Gilkey sought that nomination, but the party chose former Shelby County Commissioner Matthew Szalaj.
Days later, Gilkey announced plans to seek District 93 as a write-in candidate with Hardaway’s backing, but acknowledged that his quick shift from District 84 to District 93 could raise questions.
“I know people may have questions about why I am running in District 93 after campaigning in District 84, and those questions are fair,” Gilkey said when he announced his candidacy. “I did not seek out another race, but after careful consideration, I decided to put my name before the voters of District 93.”
For Hardaway, his announcement closes a whirlwind political chapter — at least, for now — that began suddenly after the death of his father, a fierce advocate for Memphis and West Tennessee, who died in April after serving 20 years in the Tennessee House.
But Hardaway, who has worked as an event organizer and athletic coach, said his brief tenure in Nashville convinced him that he needs more preparation.
“My time in the legislature showed me how much strong, prepared and knowledgeable leadership matters,” Hardaway said. “I know public service will remain part of my life. But before deciding what my next chapter in elected service may look like, I want to strengthen the tools I can bring to that service. That is why I have decided to pursue law school.”
