In theory, 2013 should be an off year on the Shelby County election calendar — for most county residents, anyhow. One year out of every four is outside the normal cycle of statewide, county, national, and Memphis municipal elections. But, in fact, with 2013 well more than half over, four elections are yet to come.
ON SEPTEMBER 19, regularly scheduled municipal elections will be held in Arlington and Lakeland.
In Arlington, there are three contested races for alderman: Oscar L. Brooks, Sr. vs. Brian “Brian Elder” Groves in Position 4; Joshua Fox and Harry McKee in Position 5; and Larry M. Harmon, Jr. and Brian Thompson in Position 6.
In Lakeland, there is a mayor’s race, featuring challengers Jim Bomprezzi and Wyatt Bunker and Scott Carmichael, and a commissioner’s seat, contested by Donald O. Barber, Sherri Gallick, Clark W. Plunk, Cecil Tompkins, and John Wilkerson.
ON OCTOBER 8, there will be a Democratic primary to determine that party’s nominee on November 21 for the right to succeed the late Lois DeBerry as state representative in House District 91. Eight candidates filed valid qualifying petitions. They are: Raumesh Akbari, Dwight DeBerry, Doris A. DEeBerry-Bradshaw, Joshua R. Forbes, Kemba Ford, Terica Lamb, Clifford N. Lewis, and Kermit Moore.
ON NOVEMBER 7, six Shelby County suburban municipalities — Arlington, Lakeland, Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, and Millington — will hold elections for their soon-to-be-created school boards. Numerous petitions have been issued by the Election Commission so far. Filing deadline is September 26, and the Flyer will publish a complete list of candidates as of that date.
ON NOVEMBER 21, the special general election for state House District 91 will be held, with the winner of the October 8 Democratic primary opposing Libertarian Jim Tomasik, who will be listed on the ballot as an independent, and potential write-in candidates.
On the same date, Memphis voters will cast ballots on a referendum to raise the city sales-tax rate half a percentage point from 2.25 percent to 2.75 percent — the proceeds going toward funding a pre-K program for Memphis children, with any leftover monies to be used to lower the city’s property tax rate.
