MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All of a sudden, we have an enticing race for the Republican nomination to a local state senate seat. The seat is currently held by veteran GOP firebrand Brian Kelsey of Germantown. But the fact is Kelsey is unpopular – even with many Republicans. Plus, his pending criminal trial alleging campaign finance violations has made him vulnerable for reelection.
Now, Kelsey has not one, but two challengers in the August Republican primary for the District 31 seat. Brent Taylor is resigning as chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission and is expected to enter the senate race. He would join moderate Republican Brandon Toney of Germantown in trying to oust Kelsey.
Of the two challengers, Taylor has the most name recognition. He is a former Memphis councilman and also briefly served on the county commission. Toney represents a younger, more open-minded group of Republicans. His candidacy is a test of whether suburban Republicans believe the party has gone too far to the extreme right.
How Kelsey navigates all of his distractions will be worth watching as the campaign heats up. Senate District 31 was redrawn by Republicans to make it more difficult for a Democrat to win. But it remains to be seen if the district is indeed open to change. And if so, whether that change is to a more established candidate in Taylor or a fresh face in Toney. I’ll be watching.