By Kathy Groob, Publisher ElectWomen Magazine

When Carol Chumney ran for mayor of Memphis in 2007, she knew it was an uphill battle.  Running against any incumbent is always a challenge, and Chumney’s opponent had served for 16 years as the leader of Tennessee’s largest city.  Serving as an elected city councilmember, Carol gave up her seat on the council to run against the mayor and her gamble didn’t pay off.  She ran a close race and came in second place gaining 35% of the vote.

Call it serendipity, fate or just plain luck, but the Memphis City Council voted this week to accept the resignation of the sitting mayor and a special election has been called for October 15, 2009.  Carol Chumney gets another chance. “I’m the person that can bring the change to the city that it needs,” said Chumney.  “The door is open in Memphis for a woman to be a mayor now – I’ve picked up a lot of excitement and support from people who are ready to make history.”  If elected, Chumney would become the first female mayor of Memphis.

A slew of men have entered the race for mayor.  The list includes a close buddy of the sitting mayor, city councilmembers, a professional wrestler and possibly a sitting judge.  Chumney is not deterred by the interest among other contenders in the race.  The actual date of the special election is also still up in the air, although for now October 8^th seems to be the date. “We are ready whenever the election is held,” said Chumney. “It doesn’t matter if it’s tomorrow, this fall or next year. Voters are ready for positive change that I will bring to this city.”

Carol Chumney has lived in Memphis since she was three years old.  She’s an attorney in private practice and has a long history of public service.  Carol served in the Tennessee State Legislature as a state representative for 13 years (1990-2003) and then ran and was elected to the Memphis City Council. She held various leadership positions while serving in the legislature including Chair of the House Children & Family Affairs Standing Committee, House Majority Whip, and Chair of the Shelby County Delegation. She passed the child care reform law as reported in Time Magazine, The New York Times, and statewide news publications. She also secured the $200,000 state grant to create the UT Memphis Center for Women’s Health.

In addition to public service, Carol Chumney has had a distinguished career as an attorney and as a woman leader. Some of her awards include: Tenn. Trial Lawyer’s Consumer Protection Award (1995) Tenn. Citizen Action Leadership Award (1995) Tenn. Task Force Against Domestic Violence (1996) Tenn. Assoc. for Education of Young Children, UT Health Science Leadership Award (2001) Tenn. Sierra Club (2001) Tenn. Development District Assoc. Legislator of the Year Award-(2003)*National Democratic Leadership Council’s New Democrats to Watch(2003) Memphis Woman Magazine 50 Women Who Make a Difference (2003). 

Carol Chumney describes her passion for the people of Memphis and her reasons for running as an opportunity to use her leadership skills to bring about positive change and a new direction for the city. “Memphis is a wonderful city and is one of the least expensive places to live in the U.S.,” said Chumney.  “We have an exciting urban area that is beautiful, friendly, has great food, music and is home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland.” When asked if Memphis is the barbeque capital of America, Chumney said, “we think so!”

For more information or to contribute to Carol Chumney’s campaign, visit her website at: http://www.carolchumneyonline.com/