Brent Taylor and I have known each other for over 27 years, and I have watched him develop and grow into a successful business man and wonderful husband and father. We met in the summer of 1995 while we were campaigning to serve on the Memphis City Council. Eventually, we were both successful.

The time we spent together on the Memphis City Council forged a lifelong friendship. Brent understands creating economic opportunities and promoting a safe community are paramount. I recall his persistent and determined advocacy to add more than five hundred police officers to the Memphis Police Department.

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As a young man, with a young family, his passion and commitment to make our community safer for his family, your family, and local businesses were evident from the early days on the Memphis City Council.

Brent’s public service did not end with the Memphis City Council. Brent went on to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Shelby County Election Commission, and the Tennessee Republican State Executive Committee. He continued to serve Shelby County because he is committed to improving public safety and expanding the economic potential.

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Brent sincerely desires to represent his community in the Tennessee legislature. Brent’s commitment to public safety is highlighted by the fact he is endorsed by the Memphis Police Association and Shelby County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.

Brent and I served together on the City Council for four years. Brent continued to serve for another eight years. A year or two after I decided not to seek reelection, Brent asked me to represent him as his attorney in the purchase of his first funeral home. I was honored to be asked.

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I remember our discussions well because Brent took a big risk by obtaining an additional mortgage on his home to finance the purchase. Brent’s risk — through his vision, dogged persistence, attention to detail, and tireless work ethic — paid off immensely and led to the expansion of his business.

He turned that first funeral home purchase into multiple funeral homes and eventually created the largest privately owned funeral service provider in the greater Mid-South area, which provided a needed service and established numerous well-paying jobs for individuals across our community. In December 2021, Brent negotiated an opportunity to sell the expansive business he created from that initial home mortgage.

Many years have passed since we began working together. I am privileged to consider him a dear, trusted friend. This friendship has allowed me to see him handle challenging situations and thrive in different areas of his life. I have had a “front row seat” to observe Brent be a devoted husband and father, a critical thinker, and a careful, strategic business operator.

Brent has grown as a person, public servant, and entrepreneur, and it is that growth and experience that I believe makes Brent the best choice for state Senate. Brent’s experiences have equipped him to make a positive impact in the state Senate. Brent will be the voice in the Tennessee legislature desperately needed for Shelby County. I support Brent for the state Senate because he will provide leadership and be a relentless advocate for Shelby County.