The 2007 Memphis mayoral election took place on October 4, 2007. Incumbent Mayor Willie Herenton ran for re-election to a fifth term. Herenton entered the campaign with a negative job approval, and popular Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton was seen as a strong possible opponent. A draft movement attempted to persuade Wharton to challenge Herenton, but he ultimately declined to run. Herenton's leading opponents were City Councilmember Carol Chumney and Herman Morris, the former President and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Wharton ultimately won re-election with a plurality of the vote, winning 42 percent of the vote to Chumney's 35 percent and Morris's 21 percent.
However, Wharton would not end up serving his full term as Mayor. In 2009, as he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen for re-election in 2010, Herenton resigned as Mayor, triggering a special election.
With A C Wharton<br />