The Post-Election Buzz in Shelby County
The dust has settled on the Nov. 5 elections, and it looks like residents of Shelby County are ready to embrace their new lineup of representatives! With votes being counted and results flowing in, it seems that the county has a pretty clear picture of who will be taking the reins across various levels of government. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers and the folks who’ll be aiming to represent us.
David Kustoff’s Big Win
First up, we have Rep. David Kustoff making waves in Tennessee House District 8. The Republican candidate from Germantown swooped in with an impressive lead, grabbing around 73% of the votes with 79% counted! His Democratic competitor, Sarah Freeman, put up a good fight but couldn’t keep pace with Kustoff’s significant advantage.
Cohen Continues His Reign
Over in Tennessee House District 9, longtime incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen is back for another term! With 60% of votes counted, Cohen secured a staggering 70% of the vote, delivering a solid defeat to Republican challenger Charlotte Bergman. Shelby County folks seem to really appreciate the longtime representation Cohen has provided.
Women in Power
The ladies are rocking it too! Incumbent Sen. Sara Kyle reigned supreme in her election, winning with a remarkable 79% of the votes against Independent candidate Mitchell Morrison. It appears that voters are thrilled with her service, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down!
More Wins for Incumbents
On the Republican side, Sen. Paul Rose faced no challengers this November and kept his seat cozy. Meanwhile, fellow incumbent Rep. Mark White secured 58.3% of the vote against Overton High’s Noah Nordstrom. The voters have spoken, and they’re satisfied with the current representation!
Quiet Elections for Some
Some representatives didn’t even break a sweat this election cycle. Reps. Joe Towns, Jesse Chism, Justin Pearson, Karen Camper, Larry J. Miller, and Torrey C. Harris all retained their seats without any challengers popping up. Talk about a smooth sailing election for them!
A Splendid Election Night for Gabby Salinas
Now, let’s spotlight Gabby Salinas! She came out on top in a saturated Democratic primary, nabbing about 43% of the votes while Telisa Franklin wasn’t far behind with 41%. With no Republican or Independent candidates, Salinas will make her mark representing District 96.
More Electoral Wins
Jumping to the Republicans, Rep. John Gillespie grabbed victory with 52% of the votes against Democrat Jesse Huseth. Plus, Rep. Antonio Parkinson also clinched a win with an impressive 74% of the vote against Cecil Hale.
Memphis Voters Make History
Topping off the election results, Memphis voters approved all six referendum questions on their ballots! This includes several gun control measures that require further action before implementation. In addition, the measures set new frameworks for mayoral and City Council candidates, stipulating they must have been residents of Memphis for at least two years. Also on the table were provisions for runoff elections in mayoral races and single-district City Council elections.
Looking Ahead
So there you have it, folks! The elections may be over, but the excitement is just beginning for Shelby County. As representatives settle in for their new terms, it’ll be intriguing to see how they engage with the community and tackle both old and new issues. Here’s to fresh starts and future successes for everyone working for the people of Shelby County!
