Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Herenton Considering Run for Congress
Mayor forming committee to explore options for 2010 race against Cohen.
Posted by Jackson Baker on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 6:21 PM
To say that the mayor's announcement was a surprise is a considerable understatement. There had been rumors, ever since Cohen did not give Herenton an outright endorsement during the mayor's 2007 reelection campaign, that Herenton was displeased with the congressman, whose own race in 2006 he had supported enthusiastically.
After instructing Turner to pass out copies of the statement, Herenton walked away with aides and did not take further questions.
This is the text of the statement handed out to the media Tuesday afternoon by Herenton:
“The transition from public service to the private sector has been contemplated by me for a considerable time after retirement from my current office.
“However, after receiving considerable encouragement from citizens to become a candidate in 2010 for the U.s. House of Representatives Ninth Congressional District, I am seriously evaluating the opportunity to represent the Memphis community at the federal level. My thirty years of public service has uniquely prepared me to represent Memphis at the federal level as our national leadership faces some very difficult challenges.
“I am forming an exploratory committee and anticipate making a decision in the near future.”
See Jackson Baker's Political Beat for more as this story develops.
Showing 1-12 of 12
This surprise announcement raises several questions. Among them:
When does Herenton's mayoral term expire?
Is A C Wharton in on this? Was it one of the reasons Wharton decided not to run against Herenton in the last city mayor's election?
Personally, I kinda wish that Herenton would gracefully fade away from the public arena. He's already done more than enough harm.
Guess the man is moving on up.
Herenton is notorius for floating trial balloons...He has a long history of suggesting proposals that are sure to enflame passions...Then, after weeks or months of intense media attention and public debate in which he makes few if any comments, Herenton quietly drops the proposal...This pattern has played out time and time again since Herenton has been mayor...It will be interested to see if it happens again now.
I just don't see this ever happening. If it does, you'll finally have a great reason to buy the Commercial Appeal, if only because you'll need something to wrap up all your fragiles when the old man falls down and finally unleashes The Big One.
If Herenton really wants to stroke his own ego and do some good at the same time, he needs to sit down with a competent biographer and write a book. He's the guy with something important and interesting to say, he's the man with accomplishments and the true story of being in charge of the City of Memphis longer than anyone else in all history.
It would at least be a better read that whatever Harold freaking Junior has to say about himself.
hmmm...I guess Cohen is about to find out that he
's not as black as he thinks he is.
I've fallen, and I can't get up.
Just when I think this city is hopeless... I find out it could get even worse.
Why isn't Herenton sitting in a jail cell already?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHApleasegodno.
I'm feeling priveleged....the first black prez...and a different Memphis mayor.....all in my lifetime. ;-)
Okay... So we've got Herenton in the Hall of Mayors having his Administrative Assistant, a city employee, handing out campaign-related press releases... On city property.
Herenton is setting the proper tone by starting off his campaign with an ethics violation.
Willie will be a Congressman when Fred Thompson is President. Just more of Willie's which-way-is-the-wind-blowing-today and how I distract the public so more of my minions can continue to gorge at the trough. Smoke and mirrors.
Top Commenters
Flyer Flashback
Flyer Flashback
To mark the Flyer's 20th anniversary, we're looking back at stories from our first two decades.
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
Comments (12) RSS