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Council chairman Myron Lowery announcing his non-candidacy
One bit of suspense that has hovered over the early 2015 campaign season was formally dissipated Thursday morning with an announcement by Memphis City Council chairman Myron Lowery that, after 24 years of service, he will not seek reelection this year to his Super-District 8 Council seat.
Along with a roomful of print and broadcast reporters, members of Lowery’s family were present at the press conference, which was held in the chairman’s Council office. Wife Mary was there, and so, conspicuously, was son Mickell Lowery, his wife Chanisa, and young Milan Lowery, the Councilman’s granddaughter.
Mickell Lowery, a sales representative with FedEx, has long been rumored as the putative successor to his father, and his presence did nothing to defuse that likelihood. But, when asked his intentions after the press conference, the younger Lowery indicated only that he would have “something to say” soon. When, he was asked. “It won’t be too long,” was the reply.
Chairman Lowery, meanwhile, confined his remarks regarding the future of his Super-District 8 seat to a statement that he expected there to be serious competition for the seat involving several candidates.
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The heir apparent? Mickell Lowery, wife wife Chanisa and daughter Milan.
s for himself, Lowery averred, “I do plan…to remain involved in our community serving in any way that I can.”
Along with a printed statement regarding his announcement of non-candidacy, Chairman Lowery passed out a lengthy biography noting the details of his service, which referenced numerous political and civic activities and his three months’ service in 2009 as interim Mayor of Memphis, following the retirement of then Mayor Willie Herenton.
Candidates for all city offices, including Mayor and the 13 Council positions, may pick up petitions to run from the Election Commission, beginning April 17. Filing deadline is July 17, and the election itself will conclude on October 8.
