It’s around that time of year when the polling stations open up for Memphians to come out and vote for who they want as mayor of Memphis. No idea who the candidates are? Or what issues they are running on? No problem!

Here is a short guide to all of the candidates.

Top Polling Candidates:

Floyd Bonner

• Bonner grew up in the Whitehaven area in Memphis.
• His platform is to rebuild the MPD, expand mental health services, and create more jobs. To clean up the city, he would like to expand private partnerships and wants to create a “safe and sound” budget with no taxes.
• He is currently the Shelby County Sheriff.
• Endorsed by the Police and Firefighters Association.
• https://electfloydbonner.com/home/

J.W. Gibson

• Gibson grew up in the Crosstown area of Memphis
• As mayor, he would like to reform the MPD, hold monthly town hall meetings, build a new juvenile detention center, and improve infrastructure.
• He is the founder of many companies in Memphis as well as a board member for different organizations.
• https://www.jwgibsonformayor.com/about

Michelle McKissack

• McKissack was born and raised in Memphis.
• Her goals are to invest in city-wide mental health services, retain a police oversight board, create internships for students, and create agencies and nonprofits that will help women learn about family planning.
• Served as Chairwomen of Memphis-Shelby County Schools as well as an Emmy Award winning Journalist for ABC 24.
• https://michelleformemphis.com/

Willie Herenton

• Herenton is a native of Memphis.
• He is running on the need to reform the police department, focus on mental health reform, and career preparation.
• He has had 5 consecutive terms as mayor of Memphis from 1991 to 2009. And was superintendent of Memphis City Schools from 1979 to 1991.
• https://herentonformayor.com/

Van Turner

• Turner is from the Whitehaven neighborhood.
• Goals he would like to achieve as mayor include adding a crisis manager in City Hall, work with the federal government to improve railways, reform the police, and improve infrastructure.
• Turner is the president of Memphis’s NAACP and a partner at Turner Field, PLLC
• He has also held positions such as Chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party and a Shelby County Commissioner.
• https://www.vanformemphis.com/

Paul Young

• Young grew up in Oakland, Tennessee.
• As mayor he would like to reduce crime by working closer with MPD as well as providing better tech. Improve the economy by helping small businesses and plans to replace infrastructure as well as water and sewer systems.
• Young serves as president of the Downtown Memphis Commission.
• Young’s campaign has raised more money than all other candidates combined.
• https://www.youngformemphis.com/

Low Polling Candidates:

Carnita Atwater

• Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi
• She is an Education Administer
• Atwater has worked in nursing, medical directing, and advocating for many organizations
• https://ballotpedia.org/Carnita_Atwater 

Jennings Bernard

• Claims to want to eradicate the “cancer” from Memphis
• Says that she can help save the city
• https://mighty990.com/mayoral-candidate-jennings-bernard-ill-save-memphis-from-violent-crime/ 

Joe Brown

• Main goal is to reform police, green energy, and restoration of the city’s infrastructure
• Plans to get rid of City’s police Chief, and create a civilian head of police
• Former sitting Judge and television celebrity
• https://jjb2023.com/