At its regular Monday meeting, the Shelby County Commission will choose an interim successor to the late Bob Patterson from among three main contenders ย interim Trustee Debra Gates; Paul Mattila, like Gates a longtime aide to Patterson; and Derrick Bennett, an accountant for the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department.
Mattilaยs Democratic affiliation, coupled with his longtime friendships across party lines, is expected to give him the edge in Mondayยs voting. Mattila is also expected to seek the Democratic executive committeeยs nomination as the party nominee for the Trusteeยs position on the August countywide ballot. Gates, who has Republican support, has so far not indicated that she will seek the Republican nomination from the GOP steering committee.
Bennett, however, is expected to pursue the Republican nomination, regardless of Mondayยs outcome. He ran previously as a candidate for the 9th District congressional seat.
–Jackson Baker