“An overwhelming majority of local voters believe Republicans have allowed the inmates to run the asylum. And the local party is paying the price.”

Thursday’s election was the third time Tom Leatherwood and Lee Mills competed for the state seat.

The new commission appeared to have a nine-vote Democratic majority with some votes still to be counted into Friday morning in one of the closest races on the entire big ballot.

New members will soon participate in a swearing-in ceremony to officially become part of the board. The board’s next meeting will be a work session Aug. 23. It will hold its monthly business meeting the following week on Aug. 30.

The idea of a three-term limit for city council members and the Memphis mayor went down hard for the second time in four years. 

Despite vocal complaints about her office’s delays in processing car tag and license plate renewals, County Clerk Wanda Halbert won re-election Thursday, Aug. 4. Here’s a rundown of the other clerk’s races on the ballot that saw a repeat of 2018’s Democratic sweep of the same offices.

Several other judges, including two in General Sessions Criminal Court, were either upset in the incomplete results or were in danger of being upset. Meanwhile, voters filled eight court seats to which incumbents did not seek reelection this year, including four divisions of Criminal Court.

Democrat Steve Mulroy declared victory over incumbent Republican Amy Weirich late Thursday evening in the race for Shelby County District Attorney, but Weirich had not conceded defeat.

Harris, who campaigned as part of a “New Era” slate of Democratic candidates, led a Democratic sweep of countywide offices. 

The only incumbent not to hold onto his seat was Hugh Lamar for Position 3 on the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education.

Gov. Bill Lee is expected to win reelection, but Democrats think they have a shot after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, incumbent lawmakers in Congress and the General Assembly all won.

The early and absentee votes are the first to be counted once the polls are closed. The numbers here are the early vote only with separate totals not posted yet on absentee votes.

Municipal judges in Germantown and Collierville sailed to reelection Thursday, Aug. 4 night. 

Voting for one of the more heated local elections in recent history closed shortly after 7 p.m. and after a delay results were finally announced.

Related stories:

Shelby County’s ‘big ballot’ Election Day arrives with theme of change

Ballot Basics: Aug. 4 Election Day

What to watch for in the election night vote totals

While most people will be watching who won and who lost the evening of Thursday, Aug. 4, politicos will be viewing the numbers as the first indication of what could happen in the next election and the elections to follow.

Related stories:

Shelby County’s ‘big ballot’ Election Day arrives with theme of change

Ballot Basics: Aug. 4 Election Day

Polls across Shelby County open Thursday, Aug. 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The major races on county general election ballot reflect calls for change in several areas — at times, competing calls for change.

Related stories: 

Ballot Basics: Aug. 4 Election Day

What to watch for in the election night vote totals

Judge Raymond Clift is taking a leave of absence, so Germantown is considering naming a temporary judge.

Steve Mulroy, the Democratic nominee for District Attorney in Thursday’ election, is calling on opponent Amy Weirich, the current DA, to recuse herself from criminal charges her office is pursuing against a radio host who interviewed her last month.

The 86,637 early voters for the 14-day period ending Saturday, July 30, turned out in force for the last two days.

General Sessions Court Judge Tim Dwyer is not seeking another term in the Aug. 4 election ending a family journey in politics that began in the early 1950s.

In Barbara Cooper’s state House district along the Mississippi River, 45-year-old business owner Will Richardson says residents are looking for “a changing of the guard.”

Final early voting turnout numbers should be released Monday, and politicos on both sides of the partisan divide will study the numbers for hints at Thursday’s election results.

Numbers for Saturday’s final day of early voting aren’t out yet. But turnout is expected to top 80,000 for the two-week period. The final day also saw nonpartisan poll parties in two parts of town to boost overall turnout. Election Day is Aug. 4.

Almost 65,000 had voted early or absentee through Thursday according to the latest figures from the state. The next-to-last day of the voting period on Fridays is usually the highest.

A Collierville High alumna and Collierville Elementary parent is seeking a seat on the town’s board of education.