Government of Memphis, Tennessee facts for kids
Memphis, Tennessee, is a big city run by a mayor and thirteen people on the city council. These council members are chosen from nine different areas, called districts, across the city. This system has been in place since 1995. Seven districts have one representative each, and two districts have three representatives each.
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Working Together: City and County Government
Sometimes, people talk about combining the governments of Memphis and Shelby County. This would create one big government for the whole area, much like what happened in Nashville. The idea is to make things work more smoothly for everyone.
Understanding Memphis Politics and Community
For many years, politics in Memphis has shown strong differences, often along racial lines. Starting in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many white voters who held more traditional views began to support the Republican Party. At the same time, most African Americans joined the Democratic Party. This shift happened after important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed. These laws helped end segregation and made it easier for all citizens to vote.
Influential Families in Memphis Politics
The Ford family, an African-American family, has been very important in Memphis politics for a long time. They started a funeral home, which helped them build strong connections in the black community. Their political influence goes back to the early 1900s.
One of the most famous members of this family is Harold Ford, Sr.. He represented most of Memphis in the U.S. House from 1975 to 1997. His son, Harold Ford, Jr., then took over his seat and served from 1997 to 2007.
Memphis in Congress: Representing the City
The city of Memphis is divided into two areas, called congressional districts, for national representation.
The Ninth Congressional District
Most of Memphis is part of the Ninth Congressional District. This district has been represented by Democrat Steve Cohen since 2007. Before him, the Ford family held this seat for 32 years. Harold Ford, Jr. left his seat to try and become a U.S. Senator, but he was not successful.
The Ninth District is mostly made up of African-American voters and is very supportive of the Democratic Party. It is considered one of the strongest Democratic districts in the southern United States.
The Eighth Congressional District
Much of east Memphis is in the 8th District. This area is represented by Republican Stephen Fincher. Before 2013, this part of Memphis was in the 7th District, which was represented by Republican Marsha Blackburn.
The way these districts are drawn shows the political differences in the Memphis area. The 8th District is very supportive of the Republican Party and has strong traditional values. Eastern Shelby County, where part of the 8th District is located, is known as one of the most Republican areas in Tennessee. When the district lines changed in 2013, it made the 8th District one of the most Republican districts in the entire country.
