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Shelby County Democrats Move to Censure Mayor Strickland

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News Summary

The Shelby County Democratic Party is initiating censure proceedings against Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. The move stems from their endorsements of Republican candidates, which party officials argue go against Democratic values. Should the resolution pass, both will need to undergo hearings to run on a Democratic ballot in future elections. This development highlights ongoing tensions within local Democratic politics as the party navigates upcoming elections.

Memphis – The Shelby County Democratic Party (SCDP) is taking steps to censure both Memphis City Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. for actions that party officials argue undermine Democratic principles. Chair Lexie Carter has initiated the process amid growing concerns regarding endorsements from Strickland and Ford that favor Republican candidates over Democratic contenders.

The allegations against Strickland center on his history of backing Republican candidates, including his endorsements of Brent Taylor for the State Senate District 31 seat and Philip Spinosa for the Memphis City Council, both of whom faced Democratic opponents. In her communication, Carter emphasized that elected officials who identify as Democrats should not offer endorsements to Republicans. Should the SCDP’s resolution for censure be approved, Strickland and Ford would be barred from running on a Democratic ballot in future elections without undergoing a hearing with the party.

Strickland’s term as mayor is set to conclude, as Mayor-elect Paul Young is scheduled to assume office on January 1, 2024. Since taking office in 2016, Strickland won reelection in 2019 but was previously censured and removed from the local party in 2022. Despite his ties to the Democratic Party, Strickland is recognized as a moderate Democrat, especially within a nonpartisan office such as that of the mayor.

Similarly, Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who has served on the Shelby County Commission since 2018 and previously occupied a seat on the Memphis City Council for a decade, is facing scrutiny. Ford is employed by the City of Memphis as a senior financial literacy coordinator. Recently, he abstained from voting on the contentious nomination of Commissioner Miska Clay Bibbs for chair, which is seen as a divisive move within the party that has led to additional tensions. The situation escalated to the point where former chair Mickell Lowery threatened to remove him from the room during the proceedings.

Ford is also embroiled in a separate investigation relating to financial dealings, specifically involving a $450,000 grant to a nonprofit organization and various undisclosed business interests. This investigation began in the spring of 2021 after former District Attorney Amy Weirich handed the case over to the FBI, which executed a search warrant at Ford’s residence in May 2021. Notably, Carter’s letter outlining the case against Ford did not reference the ongoing criminal investigation.

Concerns about Ford’s influence within the party have been raised, with reports of him contributing to a “combative atmosphere” and fostering division among Democrats, particularly due to alleged personal conflicts with fellow Democrat County Mayor Lee Harris.

If the resolutions for censure are approved during the upcoming party meetings, they will advance to the state primary board, which will consider additional actions concerning both Strickland and Ford. At the time of the report, neither Ford nor Strickland could be reached for comment.

The SCDP’s push for censure reflects ongoing tensions within local Democratic politics, highlighting the challenges the party faces in maintaining coherence and unity in leadership and support for its candidates. As Memphis gears up for the upcoming elections, the outcomes of these actions may significantly influence the party’s direction moving forward.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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