The term “October Surprise” has long since been a part of the political lexicon as a way to describe last-minute campaign attacks directed by one candidate against another as an election cycle wends its way to its November conclusion.
There were two such instances in the city election this past week — one which only arguably qualifies and another which fits the definition perfectly. (And since this election ends in October, not in November, the term “September Surprise” is a more accurate fit.)
Certainly the revelation last Friday of an indictment by Nashville DA Glenn Funk of nine Shelby County Jail employees in the death last year of a Shelby County Jail inmate hit sheriff and mayoral candidate Floyd Bonner between the eyes.
And it may well have an impact on the election. At this point, to be sure, there is no directly traceable connection between any other candidate and Funk’s decision. There is no doubt, however, that Bonner’s chief rivals may feel some satisfaction from it. For the record, Bonner stood by his employees and proclaimed their innocence.
The other case was clearly premeditated by an opponent. This was an instance whereby District 5 city council candidate Philip Spinosa openly accused rival candidate Meggan Wurzburg Kiel of having advocated for “defunding the police.”
Kiel and her supporters wasted no time in calling a press conference debunking the accusation, which was based on a collective call by numerous Memphians, including Kiel, to rethink public safety procedures in the wake of George Floyd’s 2020 death.
It remains to be seen what the effect of either event will be on the election outcome.
A brief summary of mayoral endorsements:
Van Turner: State Rep. Justin J. Pearson; Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris; Congressman Steve Cohen; District Attorney Steve Mulroy; Stand for Children; Memphis For All; People for Fairness and Justice; Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood; AFSCME Local 1733
Paul Young: Shelby County Young Democrats; GenNext PAC; Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood; UpTheVote901 People’s Convention; West Tennessee Home Builders Association; Elliot Perry; Craig Brewer; NLE Choppa
Floyd Bonner: Memphis Police Association; Memphis Fire Fighters Association; Shelby County Deputy Sheriff’s Association; ACRE (Association of City Retired Employees);West Tennessee Home Builders Association; MAAR – Memphis Area Association of Realtors
As the city election winds down, next year’s elections for state and federal office are already stirring.
As one example, Jesse Huseth, the Memphis businessman who earlier this year lost a close race to Lexie Carter for local Democratic chair, has his sights set on the District 97 seat in the state House of Representatives.
That’s the seat currently held by Republican John Gillespie, who originally won it in a tight race two years ago against Democrat Gabby Salinas, who went on to serve as Carter’s predecessor as party chair.
District 97, on the suburban eastern edge of Memphis, is adjacent to District 96, a formerly Republican bailiwick which went over to Democratic control with the upset victory in 2016 of Democrat Dwayne Thompson, who continues to hold it. Flipping 97 in like manner is now a Democratic priority.
That may not be easy. Gillespie, who is known to have broken with his fellow Republicans on key issues, has achieved a somewhat moderate reputation during his tenure and has passed significant legislation to curb the excesses of drag racing.
