1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,698 (female announcer) This is a production of WKNO - Memphis. 2 00:00:02,698 --> 00:00:06,298 Production funding for "Behind the Headlines" is made possible 3 00:00:06,298 --> 00:00:15,764 in part by.. 4 00:00:15,764 --> 00:00:18,264 A preview of the local primary elections 5 00:00:18,264 --> 00:00:20,464 tonight on "Behind the Headlines." 6 00:00:20,464 --> 00:00:36,931 [theme music] ♪♪♪ 7 00:00:36,931 --> 00:00:38,631 I'm Eric Barnes, publisher of the Memphis Daily News. 8 00:00:38,631 --> 00:00:39,798 Thanks for joining us. 9 00:00:39,798 --> 00:00:43,298 We are joined tonight by the two heads of the local parties. 10 00:00:43,298 --> 00:00:46,564 We'll start with Bryan Carson, Shelby County Democartic Party. 11 00:00:46,564 --> 00:00:47,398 Thank you for being here. 12 00:00:47,398 --> 00:00:48,498 Thank you. 13 00:00:48,498 --> 00:00:51,498 Bill Dries, senior reporter with the Memphis Daily News. 14 00:00:51,498 --> 00:00:54,131 And Justin Joy, Shelby County Republican Party. 15 00:00:54,131 --> 00:00:55,231 Thank you both for being here. 16 00:00:55,231 --> 00:00:56,231 Thank you very much. 17 00:00:56,231 --> 00:00:58,231 We're gonna start a little differently. 18 00:00:58,231 --> 00:01:00,231 Bill, there are so many elections. 19 00:01:00,231 --> 00:01:01,231 We're talking about primaries. 20 00:01:01,231 --> 00:01:02,231 But they're big primaries. 21 00:01:02,231 --> 00:01:04,231 And why don't you give us a rundown, 22 00:01:04,231 --> 00:01:06,231 a kind of lay of the land of what's, 23 00:01:06,231 --> 00:01:08,431 who's running, what's up, what offices are up for election? 24 00:01:08,431 --> 00:01:10,431 And then we'll get in to questioning these guys. 25 00:01:10,431 --> 00:01:11,431 Alright. 26 00:01:11,431 --> 00:01:14,698 Election day -- the most important fact here is May 6. 27 00:01:14,698 --> 00:01:16,698 Early voting will start in April. 28 00:01:16,698 --> 00:01:20,864 These are primary elections, Democratic and Republican for 29 00:01:20,864 --> 00:01:22,364 county offices. 30 00:01:22,364 --> 00:01:26,498 There are 83 candidates, 29 Republicans, 31 00:01:26,498 --> 00:01:30,564 54 Democrats running for 24 offices. 32 00:01:30,564 --> 00:01:33,364 County-wide, that's 11 positions. 33 00:01:33,364 --> 00:01:38,331 Only one of those county-wide races is one that does not have 34 00:01:38,331 --> 00:01:41,564 an incumbent where you have new folks running and there's going 35 00:01:41,564 --> 00:01:44,598 to be a new person in that office and that is for criminal 36 00:01:44,598 --> 00:01:45,798 court clerk. 37 00:01:45,798 --> 00:01:50,664 Six of the ten incumbents are running unopposed in their 38 00:01:50,664 --> 00:01:51,764 primaries. 39 00:01:51,764 --> 00:01:55,498 On the County Commission, all 13 County Commission seats are up 40 00:01:55,498 --> 00:01:56,764 for election this year. 41 00:01:56,764 --> 00:01:58,831 And there's another twist to it. 42 00:01:58,831 --> 00:02:00,498 These are new districts. 43 00:02:00,498 --> 00:02:04,598 The County Commission has gone to a set of 13 single member 44 00:02:04,598 --> 00:02:05,698 districts. 45 00:02:05,698 --> 00:02:10,498 Of that 13, you're going to have a majority of new members. 46 00:02:10,498 --> 00:02:13,598 You're going to have seven new members on the Shelby County 47 00:02:13,598 --> 00:02:15,031 Comission. 48 00:02:15,031 --> 00:02:18,864 Only one county commissioner, Terry Roland, 49 00:02:18,864 --> 00:02:22,998 has no opposition of any kind and was effectively re-elected 50 00:02:22,998 --> 00:02:26,598 at the filing deadline for the candidates. 51 00:02:26,598 --> 00:02:28,698 And so let's talk a little bit about who's not up. 52 00:02:28,698 --> 00:02:30,198 No city mayor? 53 00:02:30,198 --> 00:02:31,198 No. 54 00:02:31,198 --> 00:02:32,498 No city council? 55 00:02:32,498 --> 00:02:33,498 No. 56 00:02:33,498 --> 00:02:34,498 That's next year. 57 00:02:34,498 --> 00:02:35,498 Next year -- okay. 58 00:02:35,498 --> 00:02:37,498 Legislators -- state legislators? 59 00:02:37,498 --> 00:02:39,731 Comes in August when you'll have the primaries for the Tennessee 60 00:02:39,731 --> 00:02:40,864 State Legislator. 61 00:02:40,864 --> 00:02:42,964 You'll have the Congressional primaries, 62 00:02:42,964 --> 00:02:46,298 the U.S. Senate primary for governor. 63 00:02:46,298 --> 00:02:47,298 Okay. 64 00:02:47,298 --> 00:02:49,298 And then what about county-wide office, 65 00:02:49,298 --> 00:02:50,298 like assessor, trustee? 66 00:02:50,298 --> 00:02:51,298 Those up this year? 67 00:02:51,298 --> 00:02:52,298 Yes. 68 00:02:52,298 --> 00:02:53,298 Those are all up? 69 00:02:53,298 --> 00:02:54,298 They're on the ballot. 70 00:02:54,298 --> 00:02:55,298 Okay. 71 00:02:55,298 --> 00:02:57,298 Alright, so with that sort of lay of the land, 72 00:02:57,298 --> 00:02:59,298 we'll try to kind of dig in to some of this. 73 00:02:59,298 --> 00:03:01,298 And let me just start with a real basic question. 74 00:03:01,298 --> 00:03:02,298 I introduced you first, Bryan. 75 00:03:02,298 --> 00:03:03,298 I'll start with you, Justin. 76 00:03:03,298 --> 00:03:05,298 What are your, you know, for the Repubicans -- what are your 77 00:03:05,298 --> 00:03:06,298 major goals? 78 00:03:06,298 --> 00:03:07,298 What are your major themes? 79 00:03:07,298 --> 00:03:09,298 If you could talk about that across a really diverse set of 80 00:03:09,298 --> 00:03:10,298 elected officers. 81 00:03:10,298 --> 00:03:13,831 Well first of all, I just wanted to say thanks for having a 82 00:03:13,831 --> 00:03:15,531 program on a local primary. 83 00:03:15,531 --> 00:03:18,531 Unfortunately but frankly, this local primary every four years 84 00:03:18,531 --> 00:03:22,231 that is in a non-presidential year is typically one of the 85 00:03:22,231 --> 00:03:25,231 lowest turnout elections that we have in the cycle. 86 00:03:25,231 --> 00:03:28,598 So we really appreciate the opportunity to be here talking 87 00:03:28,598 --> 00:03:30,931 about this elections because it is important. 88 00:03:30,931 --> 00:03:34,631 And when you're looking past the primary for the local county 89 00:03:34,631 --> 00:03:37,664 Republican party, what we're looking at in August is 90 00:03:37,664 --> 00:03:41,331 presenting the voters of this county with a set of candidates 91 00:03:41,331 --> 00:03:42,698 that are serious leaders. 92 00:03:42,698 --> 00:03:45,364 We have some serious challenges in this county. 93 00:03:45,364 --> 00:03:48,398 And I don't think anybody's really gonna say otherwise. 94 00:03:48,398 --> 00:03:51,398 But I believe the Republican candidates that will be 95 00:03:51,398 --> 00:03:54,431 presented in August will present various serious leaders to 96 00:03:54,431 --> 00:03:56,431 address those various serious challenges. 97 00:03:56,431 --> 00:03:58,431 Again just for the general themes, 98 00:03:58,431 --> 00:04:00,464 I mean you have more folks running. 99 00:04:00,464 --> 00:04:04,131 But what are the Democratic themes that you are trying to 100 00:04:04,131 --> 00:04:06,831 get across in this wide range of offices? 101 00:04:06,831 --> 00:04:10,531 Well as Justin just said, with this not being a presidential 102 00:04:10,531 --> 00:04:12,864 year, the turn out is significantly low. 103 00:04:12,864 --> 00:04:15,198 We've been looking at the voting trends, 104 00:04:15,198 --> 00:04:16,231 the numbers for.. 105 00:04:16,231 --> 00:04:19,231 We're actually looking at the past 18 election cycles. 106 00:04:19,231 --> 00:04:23,798 And we anticipate maybe 40,000 to participate in the primary 107 00:04:23,798 --> 00:04:24,798 election. 108 00:04:24,798 --> 00:04:28,064 And it's kind of sad with the population of Shelby County 109 00:04:28,064 --> 00:04:30,364 being 900-and something odd thousand. 110 00:04:30,364 --> 00:04:33,998 So basically what we are doing, we're trying to engage in people 111 00:04:33,998 --> 00:04:36,864 in our Democratic community, get them out to the polls, 112 00:04:36,864 --> 00:04:39,931 let them know the significance of their voice being heard. 113 00:04:39,931 --> 00:04:43,164 Because of their voice, if they don't come to the polls and 114 00:04:43,164 --> 00:04:45,164 vote, their vote goes on deaf ears. 115 00:04:45,164 --> 00:04:48,798 And right now, the Republicans are the majority. 116 00:04:48,798 --> 00:04:51,064 They hold most of the county offices. 117 00:04:51,064 --> 00:04:53,064 So we want to take some of the leadership back in Shelby 118 00:04:53,064 --> 00:04:54,064 County. 119 00:04:54,064 --> 00:04:55,064 Alright, Bill? 120 00:04:55,064 --> 00:04:57,198 Four years ago.. 121 00:04:57,198 --> 00:04:59,298 And Bryan, you made reference to this. 122 00:04:59,298 --> 00:05:03,664 The Republicans took every county-wide office that was on 123 00:05:03,664 --> 00:05:04,664 the ballot. 124 00:05:04,664 --> 00:05:07,698 And so here we are four years later with all of those offices 125 00:05:07,698 --> 00:05:13,864 plus Shelby County Assessor on the ballot after a change to get 126 00:05:13,864 --> 00:05:16,098 it on this same election cycle. 127 00:05:16,098 --> 00:05:17,931 And the clerks -- right, right. 128 00:05:17,931 --> 00:05:24,731 So what do you tell the candidates? 129 00:05:24,731 --> 00:05:28,298 Or what did you tell them going in to the filing deadline in 130 00:05:28,298 --> 00:05:33,464 terms of what the candidates for the Democratic party need to do 131 00:05:33,464 --> 00:05:37,964 going in to this election to not have that happen again? 132 00:05:37,964 --> 00:05:38,964 Unity. 133 00:05:38,964 --> 00:05:42,098 This is what I ran on when I ran for chair. 134 00:05:42,098 --> 00:05:45,531 And that's the message I send out to the party. 135 00:05:45,531 --> 00:05:48,631 We're stronger unified and we're weaker as we're divided. 136 00:05:48,631 --> 00:05:53,098 So typically what we want to do, who ever comes out the primary, 137 00:05:53,098 --> 00:05:56,531 we want them to land their support behind the Democratic 138 00:05:56,531 --> 00:05:57,531 nominee. 139 00:05:57,531 --> 00:05:59,631 In the past, people tend to get upset. 140 00:05:59,631 --> 00:06:02,731 If someone loses, they have their supporters frowning upon 141 00:06:02,731 --> 00:06:03,764 the Democratic nominee. 142 00:06:03,764 --> 00:06:06,531 But ultimately at the end of the day, 143 00:06:06,531 --> 00:06:07,564 we're all Democrats. 144 00:06:07,564 --> 00:06:11,664 And we want to stand behind the Democratic nominee in going to 145 00:06:11,664 --> 00:06:13,064 the general election. 146 00:06:13,064 --> 00:06:17,098 And Justin, what do you tell your cadidates who are for the 147 00:06:17,098 --> 00:06:21,598 most part, the incumbents in these county-wide offices going 148 00:06:21,598 --> 00:06:23,598 in to this election four years later? 149 00:06:23,598 --> 00:06:28,631 Well I think being an incumbent, you do have the advantage of -- 150 00:06:28,631 --> 00:06:31,598 and in the case of the Republican incumbents, 151 00:06:31,598 --> 00:06:35,764 talking about a very positive record that they have set forth 152 00:06:35,764 --> 00:06:36,998 over the past four years. 153 00:06:36,998 --> 00:06:39,664 But not only talking about the record but also talking about 154 00:06:39,664 --> 00:06:42,598 their vision for their office for the next four years as well. 155 00:06:42,598 --> 00:06:45,298 So those that are running the contestant primaries, 156 00:06:45,298 --> 00:06:47,731 I think that gives them a good opportunity to go ahead and 157 00:06:47,731 --> 00:06:52,798 begin to lay that vision out whether it's an incumbent or not 158 00:06:52,798 --> 00:06:55,731 incumbent for what their vision would be for their office if 159 00:06:55,731 --> 00:06:58,398 they get the party's nomination in May. 160 00:06:58,398 --> 00:07:01,764 Bryan, you had an executive committee meeting last night 161 00:07:01,764 --> 00:07:05,364 where -- on Thursday night if you're watching this show on 162 00:07:05,364 --> 00:07:06,364 Saturday or Sunday. 163 00:07:06,364 --> 00:07:10,398 You had an executive committee meeting and it was again where 164 00:07:10,398 --> 00:07:14,731 this theme of party loyalty came in. 165 00:07:14,731 --> 00:07:16,698 How do you.. 166 00:07:16,698 --> 00:07:22,664 How does your party deal with candidates or supporters or 167 00:07:22,664 --> 00:07:26,831 politicos who identify as Democrats but may have strayed 168 00:07:26,831 --> 00:07:30,298 from the party line or actually supported Republicans? 169 00:07:30,298 --> 00:07:33,964 Typically in the past, I think it's been overlooked. 170 00:07:33,964 --> 00:07:37,198 But this year, we're not gonna tolerate that. 171 00:07:37,198 --> 00:07:40,831 We had three individuals who attended a Republican fundraiser 172 00:07:40,831 --> 00:07:44,898 and we have our own candidate who's running opposing Jimmy 173 00:07:44,898 --> 00:07:45,898 Moore. 174 00:07:45,898 --> 00:07:46,898 That's who it was. 175 00:07:46,898 --> 00:07:50,831 And basically, a few individuals were censored last night as a 176 00:07:50,831 --> 00:07:53,364 result of the fundraiser. 177 00:07:53,364 --> 00:07:55,364 Basically perception is everything. 178 00:07:55,364 --> 00:07:57,398 And my code of ethics.. 179 00:07:57,398 --> 00:08:01,264 If you violate our values of Demoratic principles by 180 00:08:01,264 --> 00:08:03,864 supporting, endorsing, raising money for Republicans, 181 00:08:03,864 --> 00:08:05,598 you can be censored. 182 00:08:05,598 --> 00:08:08,164 And that's what happened last night. 183 00:08:08,164 --> 00:08:09,464 Do you have.. 184 00:08:09,464 --> 00:08:12,631 Do Republicans have the same objection to that? 185 00:08:12,631 --> 00:08:15,531 Do you censor your members if they're raising money or 186 00:08:15,531 --> 00:08:18,764 supporting other Democratic candidates? 187 00:08:18,764 --> 00:08:20,764 Well there's two things at work, Eric. 188 00:08:20,764 --> 00:08:25,031 And it can be somewhat of a difficult line to walk. 189 00:08:25,031 --> 00:08:28,431 And one side, Chariman Carsons point, 190 00:08:28,431 --> 00:08:31,598 there certainly is a very important role that the 191 00:08:31,598 --> 00:08:33,031 two-party system plays. 192 00:08:33,031 --> 00:08:35,031 And those lines have to be maintained. 193 00:08:35,031 --> 00:08:39,231 And when it comes to executive, county executive committee 194 00:08:39,231 --> 00:08:42,731 members, there are certain rules there when it comes to not 195 00:08:42,731 --> 00:08:45,731 publically crossing party lines and things like that. 196 00:08:45,731 --> 00:08:48,331 But that being said, Shelby County, 197 00:08:48,331 --> 00:08:50,564 whether you're Republican or you're a Democrat, 198 00:08:50,564 --> 00:08:54,231 you not only need your base to vote for you but you need a 199 00:08:54,231 --> 00:08:56,864 fairly substancial amount of crossover vote. 200 00:08:56,864 --> 00:09:00,764 So while it's important that the party base stay unified, 201 00:09:00,764 --> 00:09:05,231 it's also important to appeal to a very broad base of Shelby 202 00:09:05,231 --> 00:09:06,231 County voters. 203 00:09:06,231 --> 00:09:07,231 But.. 204 00:09:07,231 --> 00:09:09,231 And let me switch back to you, Bryan. 205 00:09:09,231 --> 00:09:11,231 When you talk about censoring people who've raised money or 206 00:09:11,231 --> 00:09:13,931 supported Republican cadidates, I mean there must be some people 207 00:09:13,931 --> 00:09:16,431 listening who say well, you know what's wrong with that. 208 00:09:16,431 --> 00:09:17,431 Why? 209 00:09:17,431 --> 00:09:19,431 You know part of what's disfunctional, 210 00:09:19,431 --> 00:09:21,498 I think people would say, with the U.S. 211 00:09:21,498 --> 00:09:23,898 congress and the congressional presidential relationship is 212 00:09:23,898 --> 00:09:25,531 that so much is party driven. 213 00:09:25,531 --> 00:09:28,964 The matter -- if it's Obama, we're against it. 214 00:09:28,964 --> 00:09:30,964 If it's Republican, we're against it. 215 00:09:30,964 --> 00:09:35,631 And that sort of labeling, kind of visceral resistance or 216 00:09:35,631 --> 00:09:39,131 opposition to one another isn't helpful to solving problems, 217 00:09:39,131 --> 00:09:41,131 some would say, on the federal level. 218 00:09:41,131 --> 00:09:44,298 Aren't you pushing for that on the local level when you say 219 00:09:44,298 --> 00:09:47,331 that you can not support a Republican no matter what just 220 00:09:47,331 --> 00:09:49,898 because of that label, not because of what they stand for, 221 00:09:49,898 --> 00:09:51,431 what they do or who they are? 222 00:09:51,431 --> 00:09:52,431 Absolutely. 223 00:09:52,431 --> 00:09:54,498 But there are several different variables that take place in the 224 00:09:54,498 --> 00:09:55,798 situation like that. 225 00:09:55,798 --> 00:09:58,564 I totally agree that we have to work together to get anything 226 00:09:58,564 --> 00:09:59,564 accomplished. 227 00:09:59,564 --> 00:10:01,764 And that's just based on human nature. 228 00:10:01,764 --> 00:10:06,998 Now the county parties both reserve the right to allow you 229 00:10:06,998 --> 00:10:09,164 to run as a Democrat or as a Republican. 230 00:10:09,164 --> 00:10:10,298 That's not a right. 231 00:10:10,298 --> 00:10:11,698 That is a privilege. 232 00:10:11,698 --> 00:10:15,664 And when you are walking around as a proud Democrat supposedly, 233 00:10:15,664 --> 00:10:18,198 you should wear that with honor, wear that with pride. 234 00:10:18,198 --> 00:10:20,898 Now when it comes to supporting, endorsing, 235 00:10:20,898 --> 00:10:23,698 raising money for Republican and you're supposed to be a 236 00:10:23,698 --> 00:10:25,898 Democrat, that violates our code of ethics. 237 00:10:25,898 --> 00:10:26,898 Yeah. 238 00:10:26,898 --> 00:10:28,898 Now if you want to work with a Democrat to get some things 239 00:10:28,898 --> 00:10:30,898 accomplished across Shelby County, 240 00:10:30,898 --> 00:10:31,898 that's fine. 241 00:10:31,898 --> 00:10:32,898 Once elected. 242 00:10:32,898 --> 00:10:33,898 Exactly. 243 00:10:33,898 --> 00:10:34,898 Right, right. 244 00:10:34,898 --> 00:10:35,898 Because once.. 245 00:10:35,898 --> 00:10:37,898 It seems to me a lot of the time I honestly lose track. 246 00:10:37,898 --> 00:10:39,898 And we cover a lot of local issues and have a lot of 247 00:10:39,898 --> 00:10:41,898 commissioners and city council and so on. 248 00:10:41,898 --> 00:10:43,898 But we're talking about county offices. 249 00:10:43,898 --> 00:10:45,898 I lose track of Republican versus Democrat. 250 00:10:45,898 --> 00:10:47,898 And often it seems to break down of suburban versus urban. 251 00:10:47,898 --> 00:10:50,798 Now more often than not, you know it's Democrat in the urban 252 00:10:50,798 --> 00:10:54,564 districts and it's Republican in the outer districts. 253 00:10:54,564 --> 00:10:56,898 But isn't that more important? 254 00:10:56,898 --> 00:10:59,698 For the average person, those are the fights are suburban 255 00:10:59,698 --> 00:11:00,698 versus urban. 256 00:11:00,698 --> 00:11:01,698 Yeah, basically it is. 257 00:11:01,698 --> 00:11:03,698 Most of the issues on a local level. 258 00:11:03,698 --> 00:11:06,698 It really doesn't come down to Democrat or Republican. 259 00:11:06,698 --> 00:11:08,698 We all want the same thing for Memphis, 260 00:11:08,698 --> 00:11:09,698 a more progressive Memphis. 261 00:11:09,698 --> 00:11:10,698 We want to edge crime. 262 00:11:10,698 --> 00:11:11,698 We want better health care. 263 00:11:11,698 --> 00:11:13,698 We want better jobs, more employment for the people of 264 00:11:13,698 --> 00:11:14,698 this community. 265 00:11:14,698 --> 00:11:16,698 And that's not a Democratic or Republican issue. 266 00:11:16,698 --> 00:11:17,698 It's a human rights issue. 267 00:11:17,698 --> 00:11:19,698 So basically it doesn't come down to Democratic or 268 00:11:19,698 --> 00:11:20,698 Republican. 269 00:11:20,698 --> 00:11:21,698 Yeah, yeah. 270 00:11:21,698 --> 00:11:22,698 And I would agree with that. 271 00:11:22,698 --> 00:11:26,598 I think especially at the local level and as you work your way 272 00:11:26,598 --> 00:11:28,898 down from the federal, state and on to the local level, 273 00:11:28,898 --> 00:11:31,631 I do think that party labels when it comes to general 274 00:11:31,631 --> 00:11:36,264 election time lose somewhat of their definition as they may 275 00:11:36,264 --> 00:11:38,831 have at the national or even state level. 276 00:11:38,831 --> 00:11:42,198 Again though, there is a role that the two party system plays 277 00:11:42,198 --> 00:11:44,031 even at our local elections. 278 00:11:44,031 --> 00:11:48,364 But going back to the broad base of, 279 00:11:48,364 --> 00:11:50,898 you know, reaching out and attracting that broad base of 280 00:11:50,898 --> 00:11:54,431 voter support is important for both -- candidates in both 281 00:11:54,431 --> 00:11:55,431 parties. 282 00:11:55,431 --> 00:11:57,764 Let's focus on a couple of different races for a second 283 00:11:57,764 --> 00:12:01,264 here. 284 00:12:01,264 --> 00:12:03,264 Talk about the County Commission. 285 00:12:03,264 --> 00:12:05,264 Bill mentioned at the opening that we've got this change where 286 00:12:05,264 --> 00:12:06,264 it's singlemen member district. 287 00:12:06,264 --> 00:12:08,264 People who don't know -- a certain number of the positions, 288 00:12:08,264 --> 00:12:10,864 you can correct me here Bill, were super districts. 289 00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:11,864 Right? 290 00:12:11,864 --> 00:12:14,431 Yeah, super districts are multimember districts where 291 00:12:14,431 --> 00:12:19,498 in one district, you elected three commissioners in that one 292 00:12:19,498 --> 00:12:20,498 district. 293 00:12:20,498 --> 00:12:23,164 So now it's you divvy up the county and there's one in each. 294 00:12:23,164 --> 00:12:24,398 How does that change? 295 00:12:24,398 --> 00:12:25,398 We'll start with you. 296 00:12:25,398 --> 00:12:27,398 How does that change things for you? 297 00:12:27,398 --> 00:12:29,398 Does that create opportunities for Republicans that you want to 298 00:12:29,398 --> 00:12:30,398 take advantage of? 299 00:12:30,398 --> 00:12:31,398 Is it.. 300 00:12:31,398 --> 00:12:32,398 Were you opposed to that? 301 00:12:32,398 --> 00:12:35,831 What was your take on this shift in the way the seats are drawn? 302 00:12:35,831 --> 00:12:39,664 Well going back to when this new system was proposed, 303 00:12:39,664 --> 00:12:44,598 there was some discussion within Republican circles as to which 304 00:12:44,598 --> 00:12:46,864 plan or which system is adopted. 305 00:12:46,864 --> 00:12:50,664 But the plan that we have now I think does present some 306 00:12:50,664 --> 00:12:54,898 opportunities if for no other reason that the geographic 307 00:12:54,898 --> 00:12:57,398 boundaries of the district are smaller. 308 00:12:57,398 --> 00:13:01,631 And, at least in theory, you don't have as many people to 309 00:13:01,631 --> 00:13:04,031 reach in order to be victorious on election day. 310 00:13:04,031 --> 00:13:07,798 So I do think it presents some opportunities that maybe not 311 00:13:07,798 --> 00:13:10,364 have been there in the multimember district structure. 312 00:13:10,364 --> 00:13:11,764 And let me just start. 313 00:13:11,764 --> 00:13:13,864 Were you in favor personally or was the Democratic party in 314 00:13:13,864 --> 00:13:15,864 favor of going to the single member districts? 315 00:13:15,864 --> 00:13:17,864 Or did you guys have a position? 316 00:13:17,864 --> 00:13:18,864 What do you think? 317 00:13:18,864 --> 00:13:20,864 How does that change the dynamic? 318 00:13:20,864 --> 00:13:22,864 I think it gives us an advantage and an opportunity to serve the 319 00:13:22,864 --> 00:13:25,764 constituency in a better capacity with it not being as 320 00:13:25,764 --> 00:13:26,831 many people within the district. 321 00:13:26,831 --> 00:13:30,064 It gives the person who represents that district a 322 00:13:30,064 --> 00:13:33,664 better opportunity to reach out to those people in his 323 00:13:33,664 --> 00:13:36,898 constituency, help them better with their needs and whatever 324 00:13:36,898 --> 00:13:39,064 they made need in that district. 325 00:13:39,064 --> 00:13:40,064 Okay, Bill? 326 00:13:40,064 --> 00:13:43,398 We should also note that five of the commission seats, 327 00:13:43,398 --> 00:13:46,631 the elections will effectively be decided with the primaries 328 00:13:46,631 --> 00:13:50,231 because there's no one running in the companion primary and 329 00:13:50,231 --> 00:13:52,231 there's no independent candidates. 330 00:13:52,231 --> 00:13:55,998 So we know right off the bat that of the 13 seats, 331 00:13:55,998 --> 00:13:58,131 two of them will be Republican. 332 00:13:58,131 --> 00:14:02,731 Three of those seats will be Democrats by virtue of one side 333 00:14:02,731 --> 00:14:05,998 having candidates in the primary and the other side not having 334 00:14:05,998 --> 00:14:06,998 cadidates in it. 335 00:14:06,998 --> 00:14:11,964 With that in mind, how many votes are we talking about that 336 00:14:11,964 --> 00:14:18,431 will be in play in each of these districts? 337 00:14:18,431 --> 00:14:22,431 How many voters will likely decide the winners and the 338 00:14:22,431 --> 00:14:24,164 losers per district? 339 00:14:24,164 --> 00:14:26,164 On the County Commission? 340 00:14:26,164 --> 00:14:27,164 Yes. 341 00:14:27,164 --> 00:14:29,231 Typically a few thousand turn out on those districts. 342 00:14:29,231 --> 00:14:30,231 Am I right, Justin? 343 00:14:30,231 --> 00:14:31,231 Yeah. 344 00:14:31,231 --> 00:14:33,231 Maybe two- or three-thousand people turn out. 345 00:14:33,231 --> 00:14:35,231 See, it's amaing really because I get -- and I'm sure you guys 346 00:14:35,231 --> 00:14:36,231 get. 347 00:14:36,231 --> 00:14:38,231 I know Bill gets your just dinner conversation when you're 348 00:14:38,231 --> 00:14:39,231 out or whatever. 349 00:14:39,231 --> 00:14:41,231 And people talk about, you know, why does this happen or why 350 00:14:41,231 --> 00:14:43,231 doesn't that happen or, you know, 351 00:14:43,231 --> 00:14:45,231 complain about some local issues -- taxes, 352 00:14:45,231 --> 00:14:46,231 schools or whatever. 353 00:14:46,231 --> 00:14:47,231 And it really does. 354 00:14:47,231 --> 00:14:48,231 I mean it's, what? 355 00:14:48,231 --> 00:14:50,231 -- a million people in the greater area, 356 00:14:50,231 --> 00:14:52,231 however many people in Shelby County. 357 00:14:52,231 --> 00:14:54,964 And you've got 1,000 people affecting huge change. 358 00:14:54,964 --> 00:14:57,198 I mean there's a huge amount of power if you look at the last 359 00:14:57,198 --> 00:14:58,198 three years. 360 00:14:58,198 --> 00:15:00,198 What happened with schools, what didn't happen with 361 00:15:00,198 --> 00:15:02,198 consolidation, whatever you think about them. 362 00:15:02,198 --> 00:15:05,231 huge issues that affect the future of the county decided by 363 00:15:05,231 --> 00:15:07,898 single digit percentage of the population. 364 00:15:07,898 --> 00:15:10,598 Well and what's really unfortunate as Bryan alluded to 365 00:15:10,598 --> 00:15:13,098 earlier, we have a county of almost a million people. 366 00:15:13,098 --> 00:15:16,798 And when you divide that by 13, you know you're looking at a 367 00:15:16,798 --> 00:15:19,331 little bit under 100,000 people per district. 368 00:15:19,331 --> 00:15:23,031 But you know a lot of these, especially these primary 369 00:15:23,031 --> 00:15:26,364 elections where you've got especially more than two people 370 00:15:26,364 --> 00:15:30,464 running, you know the person who wins those primary elections may 371 00:15:30,464 --> 00:15:34,164 not have more than two- or three-thousand votes across this 372 00:15:34,164 --> 00:15:35,298 entire large district. 373 00:15:35,298 --> 00:15:36,298 Yeah. 374 00:15:36,298 --> 00:15:39,398 Let's go to another race which is the district attorney. 375 00:15:39,398 --> 00:15:42,731 Amy Weirich, I think, is running unopposed -- Republican, 376 00:15:42,731 --> 00:15:44,731 the incumbent district attorney. 377 00:15:44,731 --> 00:15:47,198 Joe Brown, famously of the reality tv show, 378 00:15:47,198 --> 00:15:48,198 is running. 379 00:15:48,198 --> 00:15:49,364 Let's start with you. 380 00:15:49,364 --> 00:15:54,031 Your take on maybe Joe Brown's candidacy, 381 00:15:54,031 --> 00:15:56,898 specifically but also crime and the approch to crime and crime 382 00:15:56,898 --> 00:15:57,898 fighting. 383 00:15:57,898 --> 00:15:59,898 I think like you said before, everyone agrees we want to lower 384 00:15:59,898 --> 00:16:00,898 the crime rate. 385 00:16:00,898 --> 00:16:05,464 What does Judge Brown bring that Amy Weirich isn't bringing right 386 00:16:05,464 --> 00:16:06,464 now? 387 00:16:06,464 --> 00:16:08,464 Well Joe Brown, he would bring a lot of things to the table. 388 00:16:08,464 --> 00:16:11,598 He's a pulverizing figure. 389 00:16:11,598 --> 00:16:14,864 In the past in his career as being a judge as well as a 390 00:16:14,864 --> 00:16:17,098 prosecutor, and may I mention he was the first 391 00:16:17,098 --> 00:16:21,164 African-American prosecutor here in the city of Memphis. 392 00:16:21,164 --> 00:16:23,831 His judgements and rulings were kind of unorthodox and they kind 393 00:16:23,831 --> 00:16:24,864 of were controversial. 394 00:16:24,864 --> 00:16:27,298 And that's how he ended up getting the show. 395 00:16:27,298 --> 00:16:28,598 He's a guy of integrity. 396 00:16:28,598 --> 00:16:32,398 He says what he thinks. 397 00:16:32,398 --> 00:16:35,231 And I think he really would bring a lot of change to Shelby 398 00:16:35,231 --> 00:16:36,231 County. 399 00:16:36,231 --> 00:16:38,364 And his celebrity will bring a lot of excitement. 400 00:16:38,364 --> 00:16:41,964 And I think the people of the communtiy would gravitate 401 00:16:41,964 --> 00:16:43,798 towards this election. 402 00:16:43,798 --> 00:16:46,731 I think Republicans and Democrats alike will get 403 00:16:46,731 --> 00:16:49,131 involved based on that. 404 00:16:49,131 --> 00:16:51,631 Amy Weirich -- why does she deserve another term? 405 00:16:51,631 --> 00:16:54,064 Well with all due respect to Judge Brown, 406 00:16:54,064 --> 00:16:55,331 Amy Weirich is not a celebrity. 407 00:16:55,331 --> 00:16:56,531 She's a prosecutor. 408 00:16:56,531 --> 00:16:59,298 And she's been a prosecutor all of her professional career. 409 00:16:59,298 --> 00:17:02,698 And there's obviously serious challenges. 410 00:17:02,698 --> 00:17:04,664 And it's kind of like I mentioned earlier. 411 00:17:04,664 --> 00:17:06,898 But you want to talk about a leader who's ready to meet those 412 00:17:06,898 --> 00:17:08,164 challenges, Amy Weirich is. 413 00:17:08,164 --> 00:17:10,798 And she's proven that in the last three years since she's 414 00:17:10,798 --> 00:17:11,864 been in office. 415 00:17:11,864 --> 00:17:16,364 And I think that she is one of those who again gets that broad 416 00:17:16,364 --> 00:17:19,731 base of support across and frankly across party lines as 417 00:17:19,731 --> 00:17:22,764 well -- Republican and Democrat all across the county. 418 00:17:22,764 --> 00:17:25,464 I think we'll see that again in August. 419 00:17:25,464 --> 00:17:29,198 To what degree do you think the race for district attorney 420 00:17:29,198 --> 00:17:33,231 general and a few others, the race to come in August for 421 00:17:33,231 --> 00:17:37,531 juvenile court judge -- to what degree do each of you think that 422 00:17:37,531 --> 00:17:42,164 this indicates that we're going to be talking a lot about how 423 00:17:42,164 --> 00:17:47,031 the criminal justice system works and whether it needs to 424 00:17:47,031 --> 00:17:51,298 change to some degree or whether we need to keep doing 425 00:17:51,298 --> 00:17:52,364 the same things we've been doing? 426 00:17:52,364 --> 00:17:55,964 To what degree is criminal justice and our system here 427 00:17:55,964 --> 00:17:58,531 locally going to be an issue? 428 00:17:58,531 --> 00:17:59,531 I think it's an issue. 429 00:17:59,531 --> 00:18:01,564 And I think we most definitely need change. 430 00:18:01,564 --> 00:18:03,998 If you look at our crime statistics here across Shelby 431 00:18:03,998 --> 00:18:06,531 County, it's kind of embarrassing. 432 00:18:06,531 --> 00:18:08,831 Now that's not my area of expertise. 433 00:18:08,831 --> 00:18:10,064 But I know one thing for sure. 434 00:18:10,064 --> 00:18:12,864 If we continue to try the exact same thing we've been trying, 435 00:18:12,864 --> 00:18:13,964 we'll get the same results. 436 00:18:13,964 --> 00:18:14,998 And that's called insanity. 437 00:18:14,998 --> 00:18:17,664 So we want to get the most person who's of the -- best 438 00:18:17,664 --> 00:18:20,631 person, the candidate that's qualified for the seat to get in 439 00:18:20,631 --> 00:18:23,464 and do some thigns different around Shelby County so our 440 00:18:23,464 --> 00:18:26,864 crime statistics can reduce. 441 00:18:26,864 --> 00:18:29,198 Well I think a lot of the problems that we have in this 442 00:18:29,198 --> 00:18:30,198 county are long term. 443 00:18:30,198 --> 00:18:33,331 They have not been in place for four years or even eight years 444 00:18:33,331 --> 00:18:34,331 for that matter. 445 00:18:34,331 --> 00:18:36,431 They've been in place for many years. 446 00:18:36,431 --> 00:18:40,998 And I think that progress has been made on a number of fronts 447 00:18:40,998 --> 00:18:48,731 and I think will continue to be made if the current leaders stay 448 00:18:48,731 --> 00:18:51,064 in place and are allowed to continue to make the progress 449 00:18:51,064 --> 00:18:52,064 that they've been making. 450 00:18:52,064 --> 00:18:53,064 Bill? 451 00:18:53,064 --> 00:18:56,064 Some of the other races, the candidates for clerk, 452 00:18:56,064 --> 00:18:58,064 whether they're Democrats or Republicans, 453 00:18:58,064 --> 00:19:00,931 always have a hard time with voters because the jobs are 454 00:19:00,931 --> 00:19:02,564 administrative jobs. 455 00:19:02,564 --> 00:19:06,031 So the first thing that a voter usually asks a candidate for a 456 00:19:06,031 --> 00:19:08,998 clerk is what does that office do. 457 00:19:08,998 --> 00:19:11,831 And the second question is usually that's something we 458 00:19:11,831 --> 00:19:14,364 actually elect instead of it being appointed. 459 00:19:14,364 --> 00:19:17,398 So how important are the clerks races? 460 00:19:17,398 --> 00:19:21,931 The criminal court clerk, circuit court clerk -- how 461 00:19:21,931 --> 00:19:27,764 important are those positions to what happens in our system of 462 00:19:27,764 --> 00:19:28,764 justice? 463 00:19:28,764 --> 00:19:29,764 Justin, I'll go with you first. 464 00:19:29,764 --> 00:19:30,798 They're very important. 465 00:19:30,798 --> 00:19:34,498 And like I said, I don't think they get the attention that they 466 00:19:34,498 --> 00:19:35,498 deserve. 467 00:19:35,498 --> 00:19:38,098 The so-called down ballot races a lot of time are a lot of 468 00:19:38,098 --> 00:19:41,598 times, some people don't even vote in those races. 469 00:19:41,598 --> 00:19:43,964 They'll go with the top of the ticket, 470 00:19:43,964 --> 00:19:47,531 so to speak, for the D-A's race or the county mayor's race, 471 00:19:47,531 --> 00:19:48,531 the sheriff's race. 472 00:19:48,531 --> 00:19:51,398 And then they'll stop voting because they don't know who 473 00:19:51,398 --> 00:19:52,398 these candidates are. 474 00:19:52,398 --> 00:19:55,864 And I think that's a big mistake because they really oversee the 475 00:19:55,864 --> 00:19:58,831 administration of our court system and in terms of making 476 00:19:58,831 --> 00:20:01,798 sure that the documents make their way through the system 477 00:20:01,798 --> 00:20:02,798 efficiently. 478 00:20:02,798 --> 00:20:05,098 There's a lot of expense that is involved in that. 479 00:20:05,098 --> 00:20:08,664 And it is important that those various offices are run in an 480 00:20:08,664 --> 00:20:11,631 efficient matter, which result in cost savings for the tax 481 00:20:11,631 --> 00:20:12,631 payers. 482 00:20:12,631 --> 00:20:13,631 Bryan? 483 00:20:13,631 --> 00:20:14,631 Yeah, absolutely. 484 00:20:14,631 --> 00:20:16,331 I agree with him as well. 485 00:20:16,331 --> 00:20:18,864 Thsoe offices are very significant as far as record 486 00:20:18,864 --> 00:20:20,864 keeping the filings of various documents of this city that are 487 00:20:20,864 --> 00:20:21,864 very important. 488 00:20:21,864 --> 00:20:23,864 So we need someone that's competent. 489 00:20:23,864 --> 00:20:25,898 And I think a lot of times, as you said, 490 00:20:25,898 --> 00:20:29,464 it's a significant amount of drop off that we have that we've 491 00:20:29,464 --> 00:20:32,131 been looking at when we study the voting trends. 492 00:20:32,131 --> 00:20:36,298 People do tend to vote at the top of the ticket and they drop 493 00:20:36,298 --> 00:20:39,564 off or they skip over certain races when they don't actually 494 00:20:39,564 --> 00:20:43,131 know what that office does, what it entails or if they don't 495 00:20:43,131 --> 00:20:45,464 recognize a name on the ballot. 496 00:20:45,464 --> 00:20:47,464 And that's something we need to change. 497 00:20:47,464 --> 00:20:48,598 I want to come back to that. 498 00:20:48,598 --> 00:20:51,164 But we're still talking about courts and so on. 499 00:20:51,164 --> 00:20:53,364 Juvenile court -- it is, I guess, 500 00:20:53,364 --> 00:20:55,898 officially a non-partisan position. 501 00:20:55,898 --> 00:20:58,664 But I believe that the Republicans have said they're 502 00:20:58,664 --> 00:21:03,198 supporting Dan Michael and that the Democrats are supporting 503 00:21:03,198 --> 00:21:04,198 Tarik Sugarmon. 504 00:21:04,198 --> 00:21:06,398 There was a lot of criticism a year ago. 505 00:21:06,398 --> 00:21:09,064 Was it the federal courts or the federal government who came in 506 00:21:09,064 --> 00:21:12,998 and said mistreatment of juveniles of African-Americans 507 00:21:12,998 --> 00:21:16,731 being treated, kids being treated much more harshly than 508 00:21:16,731 --> 00:21:17,731 white kids? 509 00:21:17,731 --> 00:21:19,731 I mean there was a lot of problems. 510 00:21:19,731 --> 00:21:21,731 I don't think anyone said there weren't a lot of problems. 511 00:21:21,731 --> 00:21:23,064 Let me start with you. 512 00:21:23,064 --> 00:21:27,231 What does Tarik Sugarmon bring to that job that you would like 513 00:21:27,231 --> 00:21:29,198 to see change now? 514 00:21:29,198 --> 00:21:32,664 Now for one thing, he's an African-American. 515 00:21:32,664 --> 00:21:35,831 He can directly relate to some of those guys, 516 00:21:35,831 --> 00:21:38,198 the children that are going through the process. 517 00:21:38,198 --> 00:21:41,364 And they may listen to him or take heed from him because he 518 00:21:41,364 --> 00:21:44,131 can relate to them and he's of African-American descent. 519 00:21:44,131 --> 00:21:45,898 Also, he brings his expertise. 520 00:21:45,898 --> 00:21:49,331 He's been a judge and he served in the capacity where he's been 521 00:21:49,331 --> 00:21:50,364 helping people for a while. 522 00:21:50,364 --> 00:21:54,298 And so I think he'll do a tremendous job in the seat. 523 00:21:54,298 --> 00:22:00,131 Dan Michael -- you're supporting him in a non-partisan way, 524 00:22:00,131 --> 00:22:02,131 if that's how I should say that. 525 00:22:02,131 --> 00:22:04,864 Well yeah, those are non-partisan races. 526 00:22:04,864 --> 00:22:08,931 It looks like he's going to get a lot of Republican support. 527 00:22:08,931 --> 00:22:10,931 I think I can say that at this point. 528 00:22:10,931 --> 00:22:14,431 The final deadline for those races is not until I guess the 529 00:22:14,431 --> 00:22:15,498 first week of next month. 530 00:22:15,498 --> 00:22:19,231 But I think he's already gathered a lot of Republican 531 00:22:19,231 --> 00:22:20,231 support. 532 00:22:20,231 --> 00:22:22,231 I think, again, he's gonna be one of those candidates that 533 00:22:22,231 --> 00:22:24,231 gathers support across the county. 534 00:22:24,231 --> 00:22:27,631 Judge Michael, he's been there in the juvenile court system for 535 00:22:27,631 --> 00:22:28,631 many years. 536 00:22:28,631 --> 00:22:31,664 And I think he's got the experience to address. 537 00:22:31,664 --> 00:22:34,131 Again, going back to this issue of the challenges that we face. 538 00:22:34,131 --> 00:22:35,164 He has the knowledge. 539 00:22:35,164 --> 00:22:37,431 He has experience to address those challenges, 540 00:22:37,431 --> 00:22:39,764 take them on and do something about them. 541 00:22:39,764 --> 00:22:40,998 Okay, Bill? 542 00:22:40,998 --> 00:22:42,998 Just about four minutes left in show. 543 00:22:42,998 --> 00:22:43,998 Right. 544 00:22:43,998 --> 00:22:45,998 Let's talk about the race at the top of the ballot, 545 00:22:45,998 --> 00:22:49,098 which we haven't gotten to yet and that's the race for mayor. 546 00:22:49,098 --> 00:22:51,164 Really busy on the Democratic side. 547 00:22:51,164 --> 00:22:53,531 We have a pack of three contenders. 548 00:22:53,531 --> 00:22:55,564 Deidre Malone, former county commission chairman. 549 00:22:55,564 --> 00:22:57,598 Steve Mulroy, a current county commissioner. 550 00:22:57,598 --> 00:23:00,664 And also, Kenneth Whalum Junior, former Shelby County Schools 551 00:23:00,664 --> 00:23:01,664 board member. 552 00:23:01,664 --> 00:23:04,731 You've had all three of those candidates at the Democratic 553 00:23:04,731 --> 00:23:05,731 executive committee. 554 00:23:05,731 --> 00:23:09,798 And they didn't really go after each other as much as they went 555 00:23:09,798 --> 00:23:11,798 after the incumbent, Mark Lutrell. 556 00:23:11,798 --> 00:23:14,898 And that's one thing that I'm emphasizing and were pushing 557 00:23:14,898 --> 00:23:15,898 forward. 558 00:23:15,898 --> 00:23:17,898 We want to have good, clean races. 559 00:23:17,898 --> 00:23:20,298 We don't want to have a blood bath. 560 00:23:20,298 --> 00:23:22,698 All three of them are good, formidable, 561 00:23:22,698 --> 00:23:23,698 viable candidates. 562 00:23:23,698 --> 00:23:26,064 I think they'll serve well in that capacity. 563 00:23:26,064 --> 00:23:29,464 And I think that Shelby County needs different leadership at 564 00:23:29,464 --> 00:23:31,464 this time, Democratic leaderhsip. 565 00:23:31,464 --> 00:23:33,464 So whoever comes out the primary, 566 00:23:33,464 --> 00:23:35,464 the Shelby County Democratic party will stand behind them 567 00:23:35,464 --> 00:23:38,031 whole-heartedly and push forward to seeing them through the 568 00:23:38,031 --> 00:23:39,964 general election. 569 00:23:39,964 --> 00:23:40,964 Alright. 570 00:23:40,964 --> 00:23:43,898 Justin, Mayor Lutrell does face opposition in the Republican 571 00:23:43,898 --> 00:23:47,698 primary from Ernie Lunati, a perennial candidate who ahs run 572 00:23:47,698 --> 00:23:50,664 a number of times not only for Shelby County mayor but for 573 00:23:50,664 --> 00:23:52,464 Memphis mayor as well. 574 00:23:52,464 --> 00:23:55,431 So not discounting the Lunati candidacy, 575 00:23:55,431 --> 00:24:01,531 I'm going to say that Lutrell is likely to win that primary. 576 00:24:01,531 --> 00:24:06,398 And what is his challenge in seeking a second term as Mayor? 577 00:24:06,398 --> 00:24:09,298 Well and Bill, going on your assumption on that, 578 00:24:09,298 --> 00:24:15,564 I think that Mayor Lutrell is known as a problem solver. 579 00:24:15,564 --> 00:24:19,531 And sometimes frankly, he gets some criticism on the republican 580 00:24:19,531 --> 00:24:22,831 side for maybe working across the aisle too much in solving 581 00:24:22,831 --> 00:24:23,831 those problems. 582 00:24:23,831 --> 00:24:25,831 And I think people all across Shelby County, 583 00:24:25,831 --> 00:24:28,298 Republicans and Democrats alike, recognize that. 584 00:24:28,298 --> 00:24:30,298 Again going on your assumption about the May primary there, 585 00:24:30,298 --> 00:24:32,298 I think that, you know, he's going to continue to talk about 586 00:24:32,298 --> 00:24:38,298 his vision for Shelby County for the next four years, 587 00:24:41,731 --> 00:24:45,131 what he's done for Shelby County in the past four years and 588 00:24:45,131 --> 00:24:47,564 again, I think he's kind of a very broad base of support in 589 00:24:47,564 --> 00:24:48,564 that effort. 590 00:24:48,564 --> 00:24:53,464 To what degree is his role or his involvement in the 591 00:24:53,464 --> 00:24:58,598 reformation of public education in Memphis and Shelby County 592 00:24:58,598 --> 00:25:00,598 over the last two or three years? 593 00:25:00,598 --> 00:25:04,798 To what degree is that going to be an issue in the general 594 00:25:04,798 --> 00:25:05,798 election? 595 00:25:05,798 --> 00:25:10,198 It will be.. 596 00:25:10,198 --> 00:25:11,864 Hmm.. 597 00:25:11,864 --> 00:25:15,798 Because your group of candidates were unanimous in saying that 598 00:25:15,798 --> 00:25:20,164 Lutrell has not done enough or as much as he could have, 599 00:25:20,164 --> 00:25:22,998 especially with influence in the legislator. 600 00:25:22,998 --> 00:25:23,998 Absolutely. 601 00:25:23,998 --> 00:25:26,198 That will be something to use against him in the platform 602 00:25:26,198 --> 00:25:27,398 along with their vision. 603 00:25:27,398 --> 00:25:29,998 That will be something they incorporated in their campaign. 604 00:25:29,998 --> 00:25:30,998 So, yeah. 605 00:25:30,998 --> 00:25:34,731 And as the head executive for our county, 606 00:25:34,731 --> 00:25:39,931 you know regardless of whatever direct or indirect role that he 607 00:25:39,931 --> 00:25:43,298 had in restructuring our education system here in Shelby 608 00:25:43,298 --> 00:25:48,631 County, I think that he will get credit or perhaps the blame for 609 00:25:48,631 --> 00:25:49,831 whatever issues are. 610 00:25:49,831 --> 00:25:51,031 I think it will be an issue. 611 00:25:51,031 --> 00:25:55,398 But I think he's also again going to the problem-solver idea 612 00:25:55,398 --> 00:25:59,931 that, you know, he realizes the obvious importance of education 613 00:25:59,931 --> 00:26:02,831 and the obvious importance of making it work in this sytem 614 00:26:02,831 --> 00:26:05,164 that continues to play itself out. 615 00:26:05,164 --> 00:26:07,164 I think it's finally starting to solidify some. 616 00:26:07,164 --> 00:26:09,264 But there's still some unanswered questions. 617 00:26:09,264 --> 00:26:12,764 And I think he just wants to see education work for Shelby 618 00:26:12,764 --> 00:26:13,764 County. 619 00:26:13,764 --> 00:26:14,764 Alright. 620 00:26:14,764 --> 00:26:16,764 Justin, thank you for being here. 621 00:26:16,764 --> 00:26:18,764 Bryan Carson, thank you for being here. 622 00:26:18,764 --> 00:26:19,764 Bill Dries. 623 00:26:19,764 --> 00:26:20,764 That's all the time we have. 624 00:26:20,764 --> 00:26:21,764 Join us again next week. 625 00:26:21,764 --> 00:26:22,764 Thanks. 626 00:26:22,764 --> 00:26:25,131 Goodnight. 627 00:26:25,131 --> 00:26:29,131 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY WKNO-MEMPHIS.