There are 70 article(s) tagged Brent Taylor:

• September 2023

  • State officials share success stories at Bartlett Chamber luncheon

    A trio of elected Republican state leaders highlighted their accomplishments in Nashville and the benefits for their constituents in Shelby County’ suburbs.

    By Michael Waddell September 20, 2023

  • Political Roundup: Attack ads, early voting and school-board primaries

    This roundup looks at the latest report on voter registration, checks in with Election Commission officials ahead of Friday’s opening of early voting in Memphis and replays the Republican debate that ended with no school-board primaries.

    By Bill Dries September 10, 2023

• July 2023

  • State senator says change in bail guidelines more likely than ‘red flag’ law

    State Senator Brent Taylor says he plans to change the state law on bail conditions. But on “Behind The Headlines” with Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo, Taylor said don’t look for major changes in gun laws in an August special session of the Legislature.

    By Bill Dries July 08, 2023

• May 2023

  • Opinion: New legislation will reduce violent crime in Memphis

    State Senator Brent Taylor discusses increasing penalties for certain violent crimes and proposed legislation that seeks to stem the rise in juvenile crime.

    By Brent Taylor May 07, 2023

• April 2023

  • Bail limit bill awaits Lee’s signature

    The bill requires trial court and general sessions court judges to set bail for certain violent felonies. 

    By Bill Dries April 18, 2023

  • Some Memphis leaders say more incarceration is price of safety

    Supporters, critics differ on merits of proposed legislation. 

    By Ian Round, Samuel Hardiman April 05, 2023

• November 2022

  • Taylor wins Kelsey’s state Senate seat

    Incumbent candidates for every state legislative seat in Shelby County won reelection, and no open seats flipped from one political party to the other. Former Rep. Barbara Cooper won despite her death last month.

    By Ian Round November 09, 2022

  • Opinion: Why I’m supporting Brent Taylor for state senator

    “Brent’s experiences have equipped him to make a positive impact in the state Senate. He will be the voice in the Tennessee legislature desperately needed for Shelby County.”

    By John A. Bobango November 02, 2022

• October 2022

  • Sanford: Brent Taylor’s ‘radical left’ ad belies his reputation as a conciliator

    “With all that cash and goodwill going for him, Taylor could easily take the high road, the 100% positive road, to a smooth Election Day victory.”

    By Otis Sanford October 28, 2022

  • Opinion: Even if you don’t like the candidates, hold your nose and vote

    “I’m fully aware of the arguments against voting. It’s a waste of time. It won’t change anything. No time to vote. Can’t trust any of them. My candidate won’t win anyway. But our lives are affected by the people we vote into office.”

    By Susan Adler Thorp October 26, 2022

  • In open state Senate seat, both candidates contrast with outgoing Brian Kelsey

    Republican Brent Taylor says he wants to focus on crime and business, rather than culture wars. Ruby Powell-Dennis wants to flip the seat for the Democrats with a message of ending racial and economic injustice.

    By Ian Round October 24, 2022

  • More prisons an option for Tennessee despite past problems

    Tennessee passed a law similar to “truth in sentencing” in 1979. The law led to overcrowded prisons, rioting and millions in damage to state property. The National Guard was called in. The result was a federal consent decree and sentencing reform. Will history repeat itself?

    By Ian Round October 10, 2022

  • Lawmakers doubling down on crime in upcoming session

    Many of the proposed bills would increase penalties for rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes and require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to test rape kits faster.

    By Ian Round October 03, 2022

• August 2022

  • Transitions and certified vote totals fuel move to November ballot

    The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast takes a closer look at the numbers in the certified vote totals from August, previews the nearly complete November ballot and features a few political notes.

    By Bill Dries August 25, 2022

• July 2022

  • Shelby County GOP state office candidates outnumbered, but outspending Democrats

    Democrats have raised more money, but GOP candidates are spending faster and have more cash on hand. That’s due in large part to Brent Taylor’s largely self-financed state Senate campaign.

    By Ian Round July 18, 2022

• June 2022

  • Democrats urge County Commission to vote against new voting machines

    The vote could settle a nearly 20-year debate between a Democratic-majority Board of County Commissioners, which favors hand-marked paper ballots, and a Republican-majority Shelby County Election Commission, which believes ballot marking devices should be implemented.

    By Julia Baker June 03, 2022

• May 2022

  • Luttrell is new chairman of Shelby County Election Commission

    Former Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell is the new chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission.

    By Bill Dries May 11, 2022

• April 2022

  • Two Republican primaries are already throwing sparks

    The only two contested Republican primaries in August for seats in the Tennessee General Assembly representing parts of Shelby County could change dramatically with new challenges that could remove one of the contenders from each of the two-man races.

    By Bill Dries, Abigail Warren, Ian Round April 27, 2022

• March 2022

  • Political Roundup: Walking local party lines

    As some Democrats pledge to try to censure Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland for endorsing a Republican candidate for state Senate in the August primaries, local Republicans have their own internal differences.

    By Bill Dries March 30, 2022

  • Local Democrats call for censure of Strickland

    Strickland’s backing of Brent Taylor in the state Senate District 31 primary follows endorsements by Tennessee Republican U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.

    By Bill Dries March 24, 2022

  • County Commission approves Election Commission funding

    The funding would provide for notices to Shelby County voters about changes to precincts and polling places. 

    Related story:

    Renovation costs for juvenile detention center more than double

    By Bill Dries March 21, 2022

  • Taylor moves closer to August primary challenge of Kelsey

    Brent Taylor resigned as chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission this week but didn’t mention a bid for the state Senate. 

    By Bill Dries March 02, 2022

  • Chairman resigns from election commission

    Brent Taylor is expected to enter the Republican primary race for Senate District 31, the seat currently held by Brian Kelsey of Germantown.

    By Abigail Warren March 01, 2022

  • Election precinct changes met with accusations of disenfranchisement

    The county could see new voting machines by August of this year, but two issues indicate overall differences between the Shelby County Commission and the Election Commission. 

    By Bill Dries March 01, 2022

• February 2022

  • Watch: Taylor and Turner differ on post-pandemic return to voting laws

    Election Commission Chairman Brent Taylor and Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner spoke on this week’s “Behind The Headlines.”

    By Bill Dries February 22, 2022