The 2007 Memphis mayoral election took place on October 4, 2007. Incumbent Mayor Willie Herenton ran for re-election to a fifth term. Herenton entered the campaign with a negative job approval, and popular Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton was seen as a strong possible opponent. A draft movement attempted to persuade Wharton to challenge Herenton, but he ultimately declined to run. Herenton's leading opponents were City Councilmember Carol Chumney and Herman Morris, the former president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Wharton ultimately won re-election with a plurality of the vote, winning 42 percent of the vote to Chumney's 35 percent and Morris's 21 percent.
However, Wharton would not end up serving his full term as Mayor. In 2009, as he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen for re-election in 2010, Herenton resigned as Mayor, triggering a special election.
General election Candidates Willie Herenton, incumbent Mayor Carol Chumney, Memphis City Councilmember Herman Morris, former president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water John Herman Willingham, former County Commissioner, 2003 candidate for Mayor Sharon A. Webb, Memphis City Schools Board member Laura Davis Aaron, perennial candidate Carlos F. Boyland, bus driver Roosevelt Jamison, U.S. Navy veteran DeWayne A. Jones, Sr., businessman Fred Askew, retired boxer Randy L. Cagle, businessman Bill Jacox, perennial candidate James McKay Bill McAllister, computer systems engineer
Declined A C Wharton, Mayor of Shelby County James Perkins, former FedEx executive
Disqualified Billy Smith, former University of Memphis basketball player
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error CarolChumney WillieHerenton HermanMorris JohnWillingham JamesPerkins Other/Others Undecided DeclinedEthridge and AssociatesApril 1–3, 2007500 (LV)± 4.4%32%20%16%3%–2%25%2%Ethridge and AssociatesJuly 8–10, 2007500 (LV)± 4.4%24%24%12%1%3%–29%–Ethridge and AssociatesSeptember 23–25, 2007500 (LV)± 4.4%19%24%19%––3%22%14%
With A C Wharton Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error A CWharton CarolChumney WillieHerenton HermanMorris JamesPerkins JohnWillingham Other Undecided DeclinedEthridge and AssociatesApril 1–3, 2007500 (LV)± 4.4%31%20%12%9%–3%4%19%2%Ethridge and AssociatesJuly 8–10, 2007500 (LV)± 4.4%30%14%18%6%1%1%–23%–
Results
Notes
References