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TN Politics: Memphis in 2019 Had Positive Outcomes in Elections and Education

Political analyst Otis Sanford.
WKNO-FM
Political analyst Otis Sanford.
Political analyst Otis Sanford.
Credit WKNO-FM
Political analyst Otis Sanford.

Political analyst Otis Sanford reflects on Memphis and Shelby County in 2019.

In Part Two of our look back on state and local politics for 2019, political analyst Otis Sanford turns his attention to local headlines of the past year, the biggest of which was the reelection of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. Sanford says his landslide victory has some positive implications for a city that often votes along racial lines. 

For Sanford, the most important political movement of the year was in March and June with both the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission voted to create funding for Pre-K programs. The funding of early childhood education, Sanford says, could have a positive impact not only on local families, but on future generations. 

Copyright 2019 WKNO

A native "Florida Man," Christopher started in this business as a copy clerk at the renowned St. Petersburg Times before persuading editors to let him write. He moved to Memphis in 2001 to cover arts and entertainment at the Commercial Appeal. Since then, he has contributed to nearly every publication in Shelby County, writing features on everything from the Civil War to Civil Rights. Also, Elvis... a lot of Elvis.