The Flyer has learned that Brian Stephens, one of three Republican members of the Shelby County Election Commission, is resigning his position, effective Wednesday, and Republican members of the Shelby County legislative delegation will caucus Wednesday night to name a replacement.
Stephens has indicated that he would continue to serve until his successor is named. He also intends to work on behalf of a consolidation referendum scheduled for a vote on November 2.
Named to the Commission in early 2009, Stephens has been the subject of controversy because of his affiliation with Rebuild Government, the nonprofit group which established itself early this year as an ostensible fact-finding group on the issue of city/county consolidation and has since recast itself as an advocacy organization on behalf of consolidation.
Among others, Tom Guleff, a co-chairman of the anti-consolidation organization “Save Shelby County,” has insisted that Stephens either dissolve his ties to Rebuild Government or resign his position on the Commission in light of the fact that Rebuild Government is no longer publicly neutral on the forthcoming consolidation referendum.
Among those interested In filling the Commission vacancy left by Stephens’ departure are former Juvenile Court clerk Steve Stamson, former city councilman Brent Taylor, and GOP activist and former League of Women Voters president Dee Nollner.
Steve Stamson
UPDATE: Former Juvenile Court clerk Stamson was elected as Brian Stephens’ successor in a caucus of the Shelby County Republican legislative delegation Wednesday night.
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