Candidate field set for Arlington elections
Position 1 Alderman Larry Harmon Jr. is one of the candidates unopposed in the Aug. 1 election. (Greg Campbell/The Daily Memphian file)
While the Arlington municipal election is not until Aug. 1, several incumbents and one newcomer can rest easy today knowing they are unopposed, including the town’s mayor, Mike Wissman.
The deadline to file qualifying petitions passed on Thursday, April 4, with no challengers stepping forward to vie for the town’s mayor seat, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.
Wissman will win a fourth four-year term as Arlington mayor. He was first elected in 2012.
“From my side of it. I think people like the direction that the town’s going in,” he said. “It’s somewhat of a stamp of approval on the job you’ve done. It’s just an honor to be in this position and to lead this town, and I’m looking forward to doing it in the next term.”
This will be Wissman’s second time running unopposed, with the last coming in 2016.
“Anybody that runs for office will tell you it’s nice to run unopposed,” he said. “There’s an old saying, ‘There’s two ways to run an election: unopposed or scared.’ ”
“There’s an old saying, ‘There’s two ways to run an election: unopposed or scared.’ ” Arlington mayor Mike Wissman said. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
Wissman still plans to campaign some since he enjoys getting out and meeting people and wants to help raise awareness to get voters out for the town’s other races. He says being one of the most accessible and responsive mayors is a point of pride, and he plans to remain that way.
Three alderman positions and two Arlington Community Schools (ACS) board seats will also be on the Aug. 1 ballot.
Alderman Larry Harmon Jr. will win his third term in Position 1, while Alderman Jeff McKee will win his fourth term in Position 3. Both are unopposed in the Aug. 1 election.
Alderman and former mayor Russell Wiseman in Position 2 decided not to run again, opening the door for Jordan Hinders and Dwight Barker to square off for the open spot. Both will be making their second attempt at alderman.
In the ACS school board races, incumbent Lyle Wilson Conleywill seek her second term on the board against Betsy McEntire, while Courtney Barnes will run unopposed for Position 4, which Kay Williams has held since 2014. She decided not to run for another term earlier this year.
Early voting begins July 12 and runs to July 27.
Topics
2024 elections Town of Arlington Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman Alderman Larry Harmon Alderman Jeff McKeeMichael Waddell
Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.
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