Shelby County committee hears five candidates for District 93 interim seat, sends nominations to full commission

The Shelby County General Government Committee met May 6 to hear candidates for an interim appointment to Tennessee House District 93, a seat left vacant by the recent death of Rep. G.A. Hardaway. After brief presentations from multiple applicants and legal guidance that the vacancy may be filled because less than 12 months remain on the term, the committee voted to forward the nominations to the full commission without a recommendation.

Several candidates described community roots and priorities. Terry Gray, who said she has served as a city councilwoman and leads local nonprofit partnerships, told commissioners she brings nonprofit, workforce and human-resources experience and said her organizations have helped serve portions of Shelby County. “I bring hands-on track record in the community of transformation,” Gray said, citing partnerships with a company serving farmers markets in Orange Mound and work she described as raising funding for county projects.

Willis Lincoln “TJ” Hardaway, who identified himself as the son of the late Rep. G.A. Hardaway, framed his candidacy around continuing his father’s legacy. He described prior legislative experience and constituent work and said he would prioritize economic investment, public education and protecting voting strength for Memphis. “If selected, I commit to approach the role with humility, professionalism, and accessibility,” Hardaway said.

Kalita McKinney, a disabled veteran and founder of the nonprofit Veteran Hands, said her organization provides free home-clearing and small repairs for underserved residents and that she would focus on neighborhood revitalization and services for veterans and seniors. Dr. Alexis Gwen Miller, a career educator and school leader, said District 93 needs visible, responsive representation and emphasized workforce development and deep economic investment in neighborhoods.

Lashanta Rudd, who said she recently was elected county commissioner for District 10, withdrew from consideration and publicly endorsed TJ Hardaway. One scheduled candidate, Daterio West, did not appear.

Committee members asked candidates how they would work in a state legislature controlled by a supermajority of the opposing party, and whether the district had been given adequate notice of the interim appointment process. County Attorney Megan Smith advised the committee that the Tennessee Constitution “is instructive” and that the general assembly’s clerk had formally recognized the vacancy, making an appointment by the county commission legally appropriate while fewer than 12 months remain on a term. “Having this election today is within the balance of law,” Smith said.

After discussion about outreach and timing, Commissioner Bradford moved — and Commissioner Brooks seconded — to send the appointment resolution to the full Shelby County Commission’s 1 p.m. meeting without a committee recommendation. The motion proceeded without objection; the committee did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript.

The full commission will consider the nominations and make the formal interim appointment; committee members said they wanted the full body to decide the appointment at the noon/1 p.m. meeting. The committee adjourned with that action.