Some of the same pastors who backed a movement to draft A C Wharton into the 2007 Memphis mayor's race have once again tossed their support behind the Shelby County mayor.
The Coalition of Concerned Citizens, a group of about 400 black Memphis ministers, held a press conference today at the headquarters of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association to formally endorse Wharton, who is vying against at least 16 others in the Oct. 15 special election to replace Willie Herenton.
Some of these pastors, including Dr. LaSimba Gray of New Sardis Baptist Church, had in 2007 come out in support of Wharton, calling him the most qualified candidate and a unifying force in Memphis. At the time, Wharton declined to run against Herenton, who later won that election.
Wharton said today he's grateful for the pastors' endorsement.
Interestingly, a number of the same pastors backing Wharton had, only last month, begged Herenton to delay his retirement.
Gray and Rev. Dwight Montgomery, among others, held a press conference outside of City Hall in July to ask Herenton to push off his retirement and save the city $1 million on a special election. They also expressed dissatisfaction with Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery taking over the city's helm.
Montgomery said today that his hope for Herenton to remain in office was purely motivated by a desire to save taxpayer dollars. It was never a matter of trying to keep Herenton in office indefinitely, he said.
"Even at that time, our focus was on Mayor Wharton becoming the next mayor of Memphis," he said.
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