MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has been a long time Democrat – and once even served as the local party chairman. But these days, Strickland is persona non grata to many local Democrats who feel he is cozying up too much to Republicans.
The final straw came this week when we learned that Strickland is publicly endorsing conservative Republican Brent Taylor for the state Senate district 31 seat being vacated by Brian Kelsey.
Democrat Ruby Powell-Dennis, who is running for that seat in the August Democratic primary, wants the party to consider censuring Strickland for his endorsement of Taylor. Other local party leaders also said it’s unconscionable that Strickland would add his name to an endorsement list that includes Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and their regressive political views.
But the mayor said he’s only being practical. District 31 is solidly Republican territory. He feels that, to benefit Memphis, he needs to curry favor with current and future lawmakers who control things in Nashville, and that would be Republicans.
Besides, Strickland has no plans to run for another elected office once his term ends next year. But I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being considered by a Republican governor or our senators for a seat on the state or federal court bench.
It just shows that the old saying is true. Politics makes strange bedfellows, and at the moment, Strickland is making his bed with Republicans.