FordHarrison LLP, a labor and employment law firm with operations in Memphis, has joined Ius Laboris, the world’s largest alliance of human resources and pensions law firms.

2. Southwest, AirTran Network Integration Complete - Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Nearly two years after Southwest Airlines Co.’s acquisition of AirTran Holdings Inc., the Dallas-based airline has fully integrated the two networks for flights beginning April 14.

3. Likeability Loses Shine if Tigers Can’t Deliver - Friday, March 15, 2013

Tigers coach Josh Pastner likes to talk about how there are three parts to the college basketball season. The University of Memphis aced their final run through the Conference USA regular season (going 16-0 in Part 1).

4. Obama Presses On With GOP Charm Offensive - Friday, March 08, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama pressed on with his Republican charm offensive Thursday, holding a White House lunch with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan in an effort to soften the ground for potential talks on a long-term deficit reduction deal.

5. Time for Tigers to Make Case for Higher Seed - Friday, March 08, 2013

On Saturday, March 9, the Tigers finish out the regular season at FedExForum against UAB. We know if they win this game, they will have a perfect 16-0 record in the last season in Conference USA. We also know it will be the last time Tigers fans get to see senior D.J. Stephens play – dunk – in a home Tigers game.

6. Alternative Spring Break on Docket for Law Students - Wednesday, March 06, 2013

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and its Public Action Law Society are sponsoring the fourth annual alternative spring break next week.

It’s a series of events that will involve 48 law students from seven law schools, some of whom will come here from out of state to participate alongside Memphis law students.

7. Several Paths for School Funding Possible - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The most important number at a weekend Shelby County Commission budget retreat was not the $145 million in new funding the countywide school board has asked for.

It was a percentage – the projection by Shelby County Assessor Cheyenne Johnson that the 2013 property reappraisal by her office will likely reflect a 4.63 percent loss of value on property for taxation purposes.

8. Events - Saturday, February 09, 2013

Memphis Child Advocacy Center will hold its Works of Heart valentine auction, featuring works by more than 100 local artists, Saturday, Feb. 9, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Memphis College of Art, 1930 Poplar Ave. Visit memphiscac.org.

9. Lovette Heads Career Services at Remington College - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Demetrius “Dee” Lovette has been named director of career services at Remington College’s Memphis campus. In the role, Lovette provides job placement services to students and graduates, and works with local employers to assess their workforce needs and provide qualified applicants.

10. Nothing Too Absurd With These Grizz - Friday, January 25, 2013

Trade 40 percent of your bench to Cleveland, play the Lakers the next night, and everything will be just fine. The Fakers are so bad they might not beat El Segundo Middle School at their gym.

But so what? Teams that make trades to avoid the luxury tax – small-market beggars – can’t be choosers. So the Grizzlies graciously accept the 106-93 victory, marvel at the 27-14 record and No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings, and do all they can do to keep it going.

11. Atlantic Track Grows Local Operations - Friday, January 11, 2013

Bloomfield, N.J.-based Atlantic Track & Turnout Co. is expanding its Memphis operations with a 12,900-square-foot pre-engineered metal building addition with a bridge crane at 363 E. Bodley Ave.

12. Tigers Must Stay on Right Path to Reach Potential - Friday, January 04, 2013

Depending on your perspective, it was lavish praise that spoke to the Tigers’ potential still there for the realizing and great NCAA Tournament victories still there for the taking.

Or, depending on your perspective, it was an unintentional indictment of a college basketball team that so far has majored in underachievement and of a basketball equation where the sum is always less than its individual parts.

13. Regions Insurance Expands Employee Benefits Practice - Saturday, December 29, 2012

Regions Insurance, an affiliate of Regions Bank, is expanding its employee benefits practice in Memphis.

Effective Jan. 1, Argyle Benefits Consultants LLC will join Regions Insurance’s Memphis office.

14. CashSaver Trades Hands for $3.2 Million - Friday, December 28, 2012

The CashSaver in Midtown has traded hands. 

Kansas City, Kan.-based Super Market Developers Inc. bought the 69,017-square-foot building at 1620 Madison Ave. at Avalon Street from 1620 Madison LLC for $3.2 million. Fred Monks III, president/chief manager of 1620 Madison LLC, signed the special warranty deed.

15. Regions Insurance Expands Employee Benefits Practice - Monday, December 24, 2012

Regions Insurance, an affiliate of Regions Bank, is expanding its employee benefits practice in Memphis.

Effective Jan. 1, Argyle Benefits Consultants LLC will join Regions Insurance’s Memphis office.

16. Obama's Health Care Overhaul Turns Into a Sprint - Friday, November 09, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The long slog has turned into a sprint. President Barack Obama's health care law survived the Supreme Court and the election; now the uninsured can sign up for coverage in about 11 months.

17. Highpoint Church Buys Briarcrest’s East Memphis Campus - Friday, November 09, 2012

After seven years of leasing space for its worship services, Highpoint Church has acquired Briarcrest Christian School Systems Inc.’s property at 6000 Briarcrest Ave. for $7.25 million.

18. A Season for More - Monday, October 29, 2012

Last season, the Grizzlies made the playoffs and even earned home-court advantage for their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Last season, the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament after winning the regular season and tournament Conference USA championships.

19. Gatewood Named Marketing Dir. At Methodist Healthcare - Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Megan Gatewood has been promoted to marketing director at Methodist Healthcare. In her new role, Gatewood is responsible for developing and overseeing marketing strategies for Methodist’s adult hospitals, outpatient services and physician practices.

20. Muni Schools Questions Pass, Cohen Wins Big - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County approved establishing municipal school districts in the unofficial results of the Thursday, Aug. 2, county general and state and federal primary elections.

21. Muni Schools, Cohen, Weirich, Johnson, Stanton, Kyle Take Early Vote - Friday, August 03, 2012

Voters in each of the six suburban towns and cities in Shelby County were overwhelmingly approving the establishment of municipal school districts and a half cent sales tax hike to fund them in the first vote totals released Thursday, Aug. 2 by the Shelby County Election Commission.

22. Numerous Issues Drive Early Voting - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Republicans have the suburban ballot questions on municipal school districts. Democrats have outrage over the voter photo ID state law.

Together the two factors could have more to do with voter turnout in the Aug. 2 elections than any of the candidates on the ballot.

23. General Sessions Contenders Seek Changes to Office - Thursday, June 14, 2012

On a hot Saturday afternoon in Whitehaven, more than 100 people crammed themselves into an air-conditioned storefront to boost the bid by General Sessions Court Clerk Ed Stanton Jr. to remain the clerk of Shelby County’s largest civil court.

24. Market Value - Monday, May 14, 2012

Investor Warren Buffett admitted in his annual letter to shareholders recently that he was “dead wrong” in his early 2011 prediction that the housing market would have begun recovery by now.

25. Nicest AD In the World Steps Down - Friday, April 27, 2012

Sixteen years ago R.C. Johnson became the University of Memphis athletic director and he started the tradition of an annual media appreciation luncheon. John Calipari, among others, would have choked on the idea.

26. Jones Has Memphis Homecoming At GPAC - Thursday, April 26, 2012

Rising star Caroline Jones’ performance Saturday, April 28, at Germantown Performing Arts Centre’s 2012 Gala will be a homecoming of sorts for the New York-based singer-songwriter.

27. Child Advocacy Center Holds Annual Memorial - Monday, April 02, 2012

Memphis Child Advocacy Center will host a ceremony at the plaza in front of Memphis City Hall on Thursday, April 5, at noon, in memory of local children who died in the past year as a result of child abuse.

28. Humane Soc. Names Walker Development, Marketing Mgr. - Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Leah Walker has joined the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County as development and marketing manager. Walker represented her home state as Miss Georgia in 2008 before joining the Greater Memphis Chamber as a development consultant.

29. Owner: Titans to Meet With Manning Wednesday - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning on Wednesday, according to owner Bud Adams.

Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans' contingent will fly out of Nashville on Wednesday and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane. Adams told the TV station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans' offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.

30. GOP Politics Resemble 2008 In Tennessee - Thursday, March 08, 2012

This time around, leaders of the Tennessee Republican Party were convinced their choice in the Republican presidential contest would be a match with voters in the state’s presidential primary.

Four years ago, when former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee carried Shelby County and took the state, the party argued convincingly that the state’s second choice for the nomination – former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney – was a victim of the move of the Super Tuesday primaries to February.

31. Tennessee Fans Lobbying Manning to Consider Titans - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – Peyton Manning remains on the Colts' roster, and the Titans have three quarterbacks already.

Still, Titans' fans of the NFL's only four-time MVP expecting the injured QB to be released and healthy enough to play are starting an ad campaign in Indianapolis hoping to convince Manning to return to Tennessee.

32. Bill to Strip Courts' Power to Block Laws Dropped - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The sponsor of a proposal to strip state courts of the power to block laws enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly quietly withdrew the bill on Monday after receiving heavy criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

33. Hamilton, Warren Lead LSU Past Ole Miss 81-55 - Monday, January 09, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – It had been a long time since LSU enjoyed such a performance in its Southeastern Conference opener as it did Saturday against Ole Miss.

The Tigers led from start to finish in a dominating 81-55 victory against the Rebels on Saturday. The 26-point margin of victory was the largest for LSU in a league opener since its 92-66 victory against Florida in the 1980-81 campaign.

34. Titans See Good Future With Munchak Off 9-7 Season - Wednesday, January 04, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Tennessee Titans will spend the offseason thinking of the three games that cost them a playoff berth and looking ahead to a promising second season under coach Mike Munchak.

35. 4 GOP Candidates Have No Tenn. Delegates - Monday, January 02, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – There are nine Republican presidential candidates on Tennessee's primary ballot, but four of them have no committed delegates to the party's nominating convention.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads in delegates while one-time House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have substantial numbers committed to their campaigns, according to The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/uBYhUb). Ex-Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has three delegates.

36. Packers' Run Inspiring Titans in Playoff Chase - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Tennessee Titans are getting inspiration from the Green Bay Packers of a season ago in their improbable bid for the AFC's final wild-card spot.

Just as Green Bay did a year ago, the Titans (8-7) are trying to win their final two games to reach the playoffs while needing plenty help from other teams.

37. Jaguars Try to Spoil Titans' Must-Win Situation - Monday, December 26, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – With all the AFC's playoff scenarios, the math is simple for the Tennessee Titans.

Win Saturday or nothing else matters.

Tennessee ruined the chance to control its playoff fate with two straight losses, and none more painful than the last to the previously winless Colts. Now the Titans (7-7) are looking up at the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals needing lots of help to earn a playoff berth under first-year coach Mike Munchak.

38. CJ Sits With Sore Ankle, Expects to Play Vs Jags - Thursday, December 22, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Chris Johnson says he originally feared he had hurt his right ankle badly, but says he expects to be able to play Saturday as Tennessee tries to keep its faint playoff hopes alive against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

39. Titans Lose 27-13 to Previously Winless Colts - Tuesday, December 20, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Of all the losses they've had to the Indianapolis Colts, this had to be one of the toughest for the Tennessee Titans.

Dan Orlovsky threw for one touchdown, Donald Brown ran 80 yards for another late in the game and the Colts won their first game of the season, 27-13. The loss has the Titans (7-7) on the brink of elimination from the playoff race.

40. Munchak: Assuming for Now That Hasselbeck Starts - Friday, December 16, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – Titans coach Mike Munchak says he is assuming Matt Hasselbeck is playing Sunday at Indianapolis until he sees otherwise. That's even though his veteran quarterback only watched practice Wednesday.

41. Chism Vying With Jackson for Court Clerk - Thursday, December 01, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

42. Chism Vying With Jackson for GS Court Clerk - Wednesday, November 30, 2011

With one week to the filing deadline, the race for General Sessions Court Clerk is the busiest of the four races to be decided next year in the March 6 county primaries and the Aug. 2 general elections.

43. Occupy Protests Cost Nation's Cities at Least $13M - Thursday, November 24, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – During the first two months of the nationwide Occupy protests, the movement that is demanding more out of the wealthiest Americans cost local taxpayers at least $13 million in police overtime and other municipal services, according to a survey by The Associated Press.

44. Tutor’s Skirkle Connects Consumers, Businesses - Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Nick Tutor is founder of Skirkle, a membership-card program that offers exclusive discounts and deals at locally owned businesses.

45. Prescott Leads Schools Planning Commission - Friday, September 30, 2011

Former Memphis City Schools board member Barbara Prescott is chairman on the new schools consolidation planning commission.

46. Obama Picks Fight on Taxes, Big or Just Symbolic - Monday, July 04, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is renewing an old fight with the business community by insisting that $400 billion in tax increases be part of a deficit-reduction package. His proposals have languished on Capitol Hill, repeatedly blocked by Republicans, often with help from Democrats.

47. Barbic Takes Charge of 4 City Schools - Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The first head of Tennessee’s new achievement school district starts Aug. 1 with four Memphis schools in his five-school district.

Chris Barbic was in Memphis last week as Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law the bill that removes the cap on the creation of charter schools. The law also permits a version of open enrollment for charter schools and allows the achievement school district to establish charter schools.

48. Events - Thursday, April 07, 2011

The Mid-South Area Business Travelers Association will meet Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 6120 Poplar Ave. Laurie Rusin will present “Road Warrior Packing and Travel Secrets Revealed.” To register, visit www.msabta.org.

49. Events - Wednesday, April 06, 2011

The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence will hold a workshop Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at its office, 5100 Poplar Ave., suite 502. Participants will increase understanding of key ethical issues faced by nonprofit leaders and learn approaches to practice and model ethical leadership. Cost is $60 for members, $110 for nonmembers and $55 for those in the Program for Nonprofit Excellence. For more information, call 684-6605 or visit www.npexcellence.org.

50. Retail Sector Adding Jobs, But Not Always Careers - Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Erin Abell left a job in finance to volunteer for John McCain's presidential campaign in early 2008. She had hoped to return to the industry after the election, but by then Wall Street was on life support, and Abell had to live off credit cards until joining a friend's startup.

51. Events - Thursday, March 03, 2011

The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence will hold a workshop Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at its office, 5100 Poplar Ave., suite 502. Participants will learn about the importance of honesty and its impact on organizations and people. Cost is $99 for members, $150 for nonmembers and $89 for those in the Program for Nonprofit Excellence. For more information, visit www.npexcellence.org.

52. Takeuchi Joins Memphis Veterinary Specialists - Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Dr. Ai Takeuchi has joined Memphis Veterinary Specialists and PetMed Emergency Center as the facility’s first hospitalist.

Hometown: Kugenuma, Japan, but I grew up in Trinidad, U.S., Indonesia and Singapore as well.
Education: University of Pennsylvania, VMD; Mount Holyoke College, BA
Family: I am in Memphis with my husband, Chris, and my son, Aiden, who is almost 4 months old. We have a dog named Bovie and three cats: Rex, Mika and Lailee.
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Eating good food; I’m a foodie and love trying new restaurants. I also love to cook, horseback ride, read books and go on hikes or long walks with the family and our dog, Bovie.
Who has had the greatest influence on you? My mom had the most influence over me. She was a “Tiger Mom” and raising me in different countries while upholding cultural traditions must have been a challenge. She always pushed me to excel and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support.
Why did you pursue a career as a veterinarian? At the age of 4, I went from wanting to be a bus driver to a veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals, and taking care of them is my dream job. They have no voice of their own and need someone to champion for them and take their interests at heart. They are all innocent little souls that need someone to watch over them.
What drew you to Memphis Veterinary Specialists? I wanted to work with boarded specialists who offered the highest level of medicine available. I enjoy emergency work as well as the challenges of complicated cases. It is imperative that I can give my clients a variety of medical options, including seeing a premier specialist.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? Whenever I can say I helped a family cope with their pet’s illness and was able to ease both their pain and help their pet. That is a great accomplishment for me.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Making a difference in an animal’s life and their family’s life. Being able to bring comfort to both the pet and the family makes my job fabulous. Even if the diagnosis is not a good one, at least I can answer their questions and help them make the right decision for their family.

53. County Atty: Jackson Strong-Armed Clerk Employees - Monday, December 06, 2010

Two years after Otis Jackson upset incumbent Republican General Sessions Court Clerk Chris Turner, Jackson is the focus of a criminal investigation that could end his brief time in elected office.

54. Tennessee Native Earl Keister Joins Thompson & Co. - Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Earl Keister has joined Thompson & Co. as creative director.

Hometown: Knoxville

Education: University of Tennessee, Portfolio Center

Work Experience: Fifteen years in the advertising field. I’m like Johnny Cash: I’ve been everywhere.

55. Colliers Sells Property to Union Forklift - Friday, October 22, 2010

Colliers International recently sold an 18,750-square-foot building in the Perimeter Point Business Park, 2188 Spicer Cove.

56. County Commission Off To Partisan, Lively Start - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Shelby County Commissioners found plenty to debate during their first meeting as a body since six new commissioners took office Sept. 1.

Monday’s session saw the election of Democrat Sidney Chism as the chairman of the 13 member body for the next year.

57. Williams Joins Ronald McDonald House Charities - Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Keaton Williams has joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis as special events coordinator.

58. Ford Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 05, 2010
 

Interim County Mayor Joe Ford became the Democratic nominee for mayor in the August county general elections Tuesday night.

And the August sheriff’s race will be a contest between Democrat Randy Wade and Republican Randy Wade.

All three were among the winners in Tuesday’s low turnout county primaries.

Approximately ten percent of Shelby County’s nearly 600,000 voters cast ballots in early voting and election day polling.

Ford, who was appointed interim mayor in December, beat County Commissioner Deidre Malone and General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson in the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Mark Luttrell who had only token opposition in the Republican primary from perennial contender Ernie Lunati.

Luttrell has raised more money than all three of the Democratic primary contenders combined and began running television ads in the last week runup to election day.

The final unofficial totals in the Democratic mayoral primary are:

Ford 20,360 57%

Malone 12,916 37%

Jackson 2,168 6%

The pair of primaries for Sheriff featured eight candidates, seven of whom either currently work for the sheriff’s department or are past employees. Only Reginald French, in the Democratic primary was not a former or current department official.

Wade was the 2002 Democratic nominee, losing to Luttrell who is leaving as Sheriff after serving two terms. French was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 elections.

Oldham is Luttrell’s chief deputy, the number two position in the department. He is also a former director of the Memphis Police Department.

The final unofficials totals in the Republican primary are:

Bill Oldham 13,821 48%

Dale Lane 7,981 28%

Bobby Simmons 5,886 21%

James Coleman 943 3%

In the Democratic primary:

Randy Wade 22,643 67%

Reginald French 6,777 20%

Larry Hill 2,738 8%

Bennie Cobb 1,814 5%

Voters in the primary elections decided to return six Shelby County commissioners to new four year terms with Tuesday’s results. They also elected six new commissioners. The winner of the thirteenth commission seat will be decided on the August general election ballot in a contest between district 5 Democratic incumbent Steve Mulroy and Republican challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos. The winner of the match up will determine whether the commission remains majority Democrat or goes majority Republican.

Mulroy easily defeated Jennings Bernard in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Republican incumbent Mike Ritz ran unopposed as did new Democratic commissioner Walter Bailey.

In the remaining ten contests, the primaries decided who gets the seats since no one ran in the opposing party’s primary.

The most hotly contested contest among the commission races was for District 4 Position 1. Outgoing Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas beat John Pellicciotti, appointed to a commission seat last year but running for a different position in the same district. Jim Bomprezzi, the former mayor of Lakeland, was the third contender in the contest.

The final unofficial totals in the Republican primary:

Thomas 7,631 52%

Pellicciotti 4,871 33%

Bomprezzi 2,298 15%

In position 2 of the same district incumbent Republican Wyatt Bunker easily overcame two challengers with former Lakeland alderman John Wilkerson finishing second and Ron Fittes finishing third.

Millington businessman Terry Roland claimed the third position in the district that takes in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities.

Roland beat George Chism to take the seat Pellicciotti was appointed to but opted not to run for in deference to Roland.

Heidi Shafer, an aide to outgoing County Commissioner George Flinn, claimed Flinn’s District 1 Position 2 seat over Albert Maduska.in the GOP primary.

District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Carpenter easily beat businessman Joe Baier.

In the Democratic commission primaries, Melvin Burgess claimed Malone’s District 2 Position 3 seat in a field of six contenders. His closest contender was Reginald Milton. Burgess, a city school system audit manager, had run for the seat before. He brought in 54 percent of the vote.

The other hard fought Democratic commission primary saw Justin Ford, son of the interim mayor, claim his father’s District 3 Position 3 seat.

Ford beat Edith Moore, a retired IBM executive, whom the commission appointed to the seat after the elder Ford became mayor.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Ford 7,342 66%

Moore 3,822 34%

Democratic incumbent commissioners Henri Brooks, Sidney Chism and James Harvey were all re-elected over primary challengers.

The county-wide primaries for seven clerk’s positions saw the return of former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican 16 years after Republican challenger Bill Key took her job. Johnican decisively beat Ralph White and Vernon Johnson in her first bid for office since the 1994 defeat. She will face Republican Kevin Key, the son of Bill Key in the August general election.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Johnican 16,381 51%

White 10,170 31%

Johnson 5,954 18%

Former Juvenile Court Clerk Shep Wilbun easily won the Democratic primary with 76 percent of the vote to face Republican Joy Touliatos in August for the office being vacated by Republican Steve Stamson. Touliatos was unopposed in the primary.

Democrat Coleman Thompson is back for another go at incumbent Republican Register Tom Leatherwood.

Aside from Leatherwood, Jimmy Moore is the only other of the seven clerks seeking re-election. Moore ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He will face Democrat Ricky Dixon in August.

Trustee Regina Newman was appointed to her office following the death last year of Paul Mattila. Newman easily overcame M LaTroy Williams in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. She will face David Lenoir, who beat former Shelby County Commissioner John Willingham in the Republican contest.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Lenoir 15,922 58%

Willingham 11,569 42%

The other six candidate field on the ballot was in the Democratic primary for Probate Court Clerk. Sondra Becton posted impressive vote totals over her rivals, bringing in 35 percent of the vote with Peggy Dobbins her closest rival. Becton, who is making her fourth bid for the office, will face Republican Paul Boyd, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The final unofficial vote totals are:

Becton 10,929 36%

Dobbins 5,366 18%

Annita Hamilton 4,848 16%

Clay Perry 3,549 12%

Danny Kail 3,120 11%

Karen Tyler 2,782 9%

The closest contest of the evening was in the Democratic primary for County Clerk. Wrestling promoter and television personality Corey Maclin won his political debut by less than 1,400 votes over Charlotte Draper and LaKeith Miller. He will face Republican Wayne Mashburn who beat Steve Moore in the companion primary.

Early voting in advance of the Aug. 5 election day begins July 16. The August ballot will also feature state and federal primary elections including the statewide primaries for governor and the primaries for all nine of the state’s Congressional districts.

59. Aide to Ark. Governor to Head Delta Authority - Monday, April 26, 2010

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - A top aide to Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe was nominated Thursday by President Barack Obama to head the Delta Regional Authority, a federal agency that works to enhance the economy of the impoverished Mississippi Delta region in eight states.

60. Races Open For Two County School Board Seats - Friday, April 02, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

61. UPDATE: Two Open County School Board Seats At Filing Deadline - Thursday, April 01, 2010

The Aug. 5 elections will feature two races for open seats on the Shelby County school board.

At the noon Thursday filing deadline for the four odd-numbered district seats as well as the state and federal primaries, board member Anne Edmiston did not file for another four-year term. Board member Teresa Price had announced earlier that she would not be running either.

62. Congress: Connections With Toyota - Thursday, February 25, 2010

Several lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is holding a hearing Wednesday on the Toyota recalls, have Toyota factories and offices in their states or even their districts. A look at some of the automaker's ties:

63. Events - Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Memphis Rotary Club will meet today at noon at the University Club of Memphis, 1346 Central Ave. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. will speak. For reservations, e-mail Taylor Hughes at taylor@memphisrotary.org.

64. Events - Monday, February 22, 2010

The InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center will present another lecture as part of its Quarterly Musculoskeletal Lecture Series today at 5 p.m. at the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology. Richard Coutts will speak on “National Total Joint Replacement Registries.” To register, call 271-0021.

65. Candidate Filing List -- The Final Version - Friday, February 19, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

66. UPDATE: Mayor's Race Grows At Filing Deadline - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.

Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.

The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff’s office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.

The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.

Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.

Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.

All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.

Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.

And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.

Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.

D-Democrat

R- Republican

I- Independent

Shelby County Mayor:

Deidre Malone (D)

Joe Ford (D)

Otis Jackson (D)

Mark Luttrell (R)

Ernest Lunati (R)

Leo Awgowhat (I)

Shelby County Sheriff:

James Coleman (R)

Bobby Simmons (R)

Bill Oldham (R)

Dale Lane (R)

Larry Hill (D)

Bennie Cobb (D)

Randy Wade (D)

James Bolden (D)

Elton Hymon (D)

Reginald French (D)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1

Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2

Albert Maduska (R)

Heidi Shafer (R)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3

Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)

Joe Baire (R)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1

Walter Bailey (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2

Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)

David Vinciarelli (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3

Eric Dunn (D)

Norma Lester (D)

Tina Dickerson (D)

Melvin Burgess (D)

Reginald Milton (D)

Freddie Thomas (D)

County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1

James Harvey (D) (incumbent)

James Catchings (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2

Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)

Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3

Edith Moore  (D) (incumbent)

Justin Ford (D)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1

Chris Thomas (R)

John Pellicciotti (R)

Jim Bomprezzi (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2

Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)

John Wilkerson (R)

Ron Fittes (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3

Terry Roland (R)

George Chism (R)

Edgar Babian (R)

County Commission Dist 5

Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)

Jennings Bernard (D)

Rolando Toyos (R)

Shelby County Clerk

Charlotte Draper (D)

Corey Maclin (D)

LaKeith Miller (D)

Wayne Mashburn (R)

Steve Moore (R)

Criminal Court Clerk

Vernon Johnson (D)

Minerva Johnican (D)

Ralph White (D)

Michael Porter (R)

Kevin Key (R)

Jerry Stamson (I)

Circuit Court Clerk

Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)

Steven Webster (D)

Carmichael Johnson (D)

Ricky W. Dixon (D)

Juvenile Court Clerk

Joy Touliatos (R)

Charles Marshall (D)

Sylvester Bradley (D)

Shep Wilbun (D)

Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)

Probate Court Clerk

Paul Boyd (R)

Sondra Becton (D)

Danny Kail (D)

Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)

Peggy Dobbins (D)

Clay Perry (D)

Karen Tyler (D)

Shelby County Register

Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)

Coleman Thompson (D)

Lady J. Swift (D)

Carlton Orange (D)

Shelby County Trustee

Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)

M. LaTroy Williams (D)

John Willingham (R)

Jeff Jacobs (R)

David Lenoir (R)

67. Sanofi-Aventis to Buy Gold Bond Maker Chattem - Tuesday, December 22, 2009

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA said Monday it plans to buy the Chattanooga-based health-care company Chattem Inc., maker of over-the-counter mainstays like Gold Bond skin products, for $1.9 billion in cash.

68. Joint Venture - Monday, December 21, 2009

Charles Redden remembers getting the call in April.

A sales associate for Smith & Nephew, Redden worked hospitals and clinics in Dallas – among the most lucrative regions for the British medical device maker whose U.S. headquarters is in Memphis. On the other end of the phone line was Redden’s boss, Jon Hebel, a former minor league baseball player and an area sales manager for Smith & Nephew.

69. Stephens Named Executive Director Of Exceptional Foundation of West Tenn. - Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Jeni Stephens has been named the executive director of the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee.

Stephens was appointed following a national search conducted by the EFWT.

She joins the EFWT with a 14-year background in nonprofit administration. She most recently served as deputy director of development for the Pink Palace Family of Museums. She also has served as director of marketing and development for the Memphis Bioworks Foundation and the Memphis Academy of Science in Engineering.

70. Gun Laws are Getting Looser Across Much of US - Monday, December 14, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - It's been the year of the gun in Tennessee. In a flurry of legislative action, handgun owners won the right to take their weapons onto sports fields and playgrounds and, at least briefly, into bars.

71. Little Ready to Join Wharton Team - Friday, December 04, 2009

George Little has a towering physique and a booming voice. He speaks slowly, intently and with an almost steely gaze.

72. Senate Shakeup Won't Change Liberal Control - Thursday, September 10, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - An anticipated shake-up in Senate leadership resulting from Ted Kennedy's death won't change a central tenet of this Congress: Liberals are still very much in charge.

73. Obama Breaks Vacation, Keeps Bernanke at Fed - Wednesday, August 26, 2009

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. (AP) - President Barack Obama announced Tuesday he wants to keep Ben Bernanke on as Fed chairman, saying he shepherded America through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

74. Democrat Resists Subpoenaing VIP Mortgage Records - Monday, August 03, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats have declined to subpoena available records that might reveal whether other members of Congress got discounted VIP mortgages from subprime lender Countrywide Financial Corp. similar to the sweetheart deals given Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad.

75. Obama Announces Agreement With Drug Companies - Tuesday, June 23, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday welcomed the pharmaceutical industry's agreement to help close a gap in Medicare's drug coverage, calling the pact a step forward in the push for overhaul of the nation's health care system.

76. Dodd's Wife Serves on Health Care Company Boards - Monday, June 15, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The wife of a senator playing a lead role on a national health care overhaul sits on the boards of four health care companies, one of several examples of lawmakers with ties to the medical industry.

77. Ramsey’s Entry Marks New Phase In Governor’s Race - Tuesday, June 02, 2009

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) – State Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey’s entry Monday into the Tennessee governor’s race marks a new phase of an arduous – and expensive – Republican primary campaign.

78. GM Employees May Get Shutdown Details This Week - Friday, April 24, 2009

DETROIT (AP) - Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker's plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks.

79. Automakers Pitch Congress Anew on Rescue - Friday, December 05, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - Humbled U.S. automakers pleaded with Congress on Thursday for an expanded $34 billion rescue package, but heard fresh skepticism in a bumpy encore appearance.

"We're here today because we made mistakes," General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner told the Senate Banking Committee in prepared testimony.

80. Chrysler Exec: Failure Could Spark Depression - Thursday, December 04, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - A top Chrysler executive warned Wednesday that a carmaker collapse could send the economy spiraling into a depression, while the United Auto Workers agreed to new concessions for their companies.

81. Sept. Commercial Sales Drop 18% - Monday, October 27, 2008

Shelby County’s commercial real estate market was highlighted by a wide variety – but a low volume – of transactions in September, revealing a continued slowdown because of the credit crisis and overall economic slowdown.

82. McCain Says Fed Should Stop Government Bailouts - Monday, September 22, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Republican John McCain said Friday the Federal Reserve needs to stop bailing out failed financial institutions.

The Republican presidential hopeful said the Fed should get back to "its core business of responsibly managing our money supply and inflation" and he laid out several recommendations for stabilizing markets in the financial crisis that has rocked Wall Street and commanded the dialogue in the presidential campaign.

83. Jackson’s Election Signals Change In Clerk’s Office - Thursday, September 04, 2008

Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson Jr. turned 48 this week and walked into the clerk’s office for the first time as the clerk.

Jackson, a Democrat, upset incumbent clerk Chris Turner, a Republican, in the Aug. 7 county general elections. From then to Sept. 1, when Jackson officially took office, there wasn’t a transition.

84. Johnson, Jackson To Be Sworn in Sunday - Thursday, August 28, 2008

Two newly minted elected officials will be formally sworn into office Sunday.

Cheyenne Johnson, who succeeds Rita Clark as Shelby County assessor of property, and Otis Jackson, who succeeds Chris Turner as General Sessions Court clerk, will take their oaths of office Sunday in a ceremony at 5 p.m. in the Shelby County Board of Commissioners Chambers at 160 N. Main St.

85. Pera to Serve on Advisory Board Of Miller-Becker Institute - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Lucian T. Pera, a partner at the Memphis office of Adams and Reese LLP, has been invited to serve on the Advisory Board of the Miller-Becker Institute for Professional Responsibility.

The Institute provides programs and activities to enhance ethical awareness among those who practice, adjudicate, teach and study law.

86. Cohen, Blackburn Lead Local Election Winners - Monday, August 11, 2008

More than half and possibly as much as 75 percent of Shelby County’s nearly 626,000 voters are expected to turn out for the Nov. 4 election that will be highlighted by the John McCain-Barack Obama battle for the White House.

87. Cohen Crushes Tinker - Jackson Upsets Turner - Charter Changes Pass-Fail - Friday, August 08, 2008
Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen was the big winner in Thursday’s primary elections. Cohen, with 80 percent of the vote, crushed challenger Nikki Tinker in the hard fought 9th District Democratic primary.

The upset of the evening was the general election contest for General Sessions Court Clerk where Democratic challenger Otis Jackson beat Republican incumbent Chris Turner.

And only one of two sets of Shelby County charter amendments on the ballot were approved by voters.

Voter turnout was just under 16 percent in Shelby County. Voter turnout was clearly driven by the 9th District Democratic primary. More people voted in that primary which covers most but not all of Shelby County than voted countywide in the state Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Turnout in the Democratic primaries was twice that of the Republican primaries in Shelby County.

All results are unofficial pending audit and certification by the Shelby County Election Commission and Tennessee election officials

9th Congressional District
Democratic Primary
Steve Cohen 50,284 79%
Nikki Tinker 11,814 19%
Joe Towns Jr. 914 1%

Not even close. Cohen won the primary for the open all Shelby County seat two years ago by 4,400 votes over Tinker and 13 other candidates. This time around he was the incumbent and Tinker’s challenge was more strident with a pair of controversial attack ads in the gap between the end of early voting and election day. Both were probably factors in the vote totals along with a smaller field of five candidates.

Cohen faces independent candidate Jake Ford in the Nov. 4 general election.

7th Congressional District
Republican Primary
248 of 265 precincts reporting
Marsha Blackburn 29,158 65%
Tom Leatherwood 15,636 35%

These are the results district wide which includes not only the eastern part of Shelby County but a strip of Middle Tennessee up to the Kentucky state line. In Shelby County’s part of the 7th district, Leatherwood beat Blackburn with 62 percent of the vote. But it was 62 percent of just over 19,000 votes. Outside Shelby County it was always going to be difficult for Leatherwood.. The low voter turnout in Collierville and other eastern parts of the county made Leatherwood’s task impossible.

Blackburn faces Democrat Randy G. Morris on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Shelby County Charter Amendment #360
Yes  49,506   49.73%

No   50,043   50,27%

Closest contest of the night in Shelby County with a 537 vote margin and the highest turnout with 99,549 votes total.

This set of charter changes was to fix a legal problem noted in a recent Tennessee Supreme Court ruling. Another part of the package deal was increasing term limits for the county mayor and the county commission from two consecutive four year terms approved by voters in 1994 to three consecutive four year terms. The County Commission meets Monday to ponder whether it should offer another charter amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot that would fix the legal problem.

Shelby County Charter Amendment #361
Yes 65,548 68%
No 30,188 32%

This set of charter amendment includes provisions for recalling elected officials. It also establishes a new method for filling a vacancy in the office of County Mayor.

General Sessions Court Clerk
Otis Jackson 51,438 52%
Chris Turner 43,971 45%

The upset of the evening. Turner, the Republican nominee and the incumbent was seeking a fourth term. Jackson, the Democratic nominee, was making his fourth bid for county-wide office after coming close in a 2006 bid for County Clerk.

Trustee
Paul Mattila 54,734 57%
Ray Butler 29,977 31%

Mattila beats Butler in a race featuring an energetic and misleading campaign by M. LaTroy Williams in which Williams billed himself as the “real Democrat.” He was, in fact, an independent candidate garnering 8 percent of the vote. Mattila fills the remaining two years left in the term of office of the late Bob Patterson, a Republican. Mattila, a Democrat, worked with Patterson. Butler, the Republican, was also a friend of Patterson’s and the race amounted to who would best continue to operate the office as Patterson did.

Criminal Court Judge Div. 6
John Fowlkes 44,581 52%
Latonya Burrow 21,874 26%
Michael G. Floyd 12,071 14%
Claiborne H. Ferguson 6,240 7%

Fowlkes serves out the remaining six years left of the eight year term of office of Fred Axley who resigned from the bench shortly after winning re-election in 2006. Burrow finished a close second to Axley two years ago and again ran an energetic campaign this time around. But Fowlkes status in the legal community and his appointment to the bench by Gov. Phil Bredesen proved to be the advantage.

Assessor of Property
Cheyenne Johnson 59,637 60%
Bill Giannini 39,057 40%

Johnson, the Democratic nominee, easily beat Giannini, who is also doubling as local GOP chairman. Local Democrats keep the county-wide position in their column as voters go for the candidate endorsed by outgoing Democratic incumbent Rita Clark.

U.S. Senate
Democratic Primary
2,192 of 2,290 precincts reporting
Bob Tuke 54,613 32%
Gary G. Davis 37,193 22%
Mike Padgett 32,190 19%
Mark Clayton 30,359 18%
Kenneth Eaton 13,718 8%
Leonard Ladner 4,431 3%

These are the statewide results. Tuke got 42 percent of the Shelby County vote with Clayton finishing second. Tuke, the former state Democratic Party chairman, faces Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander, one of the most successful politicians in the history of the state, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Judicial Retention Races

All seven state appellate court judges, including two Tennessee Supreme Court justices, won their yes/no contests on the ballot across the state. That includes Tennessee Criminal Appeals Court Judge Camille McMullen of Millington who was just appointed to the bench in June by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

88. US Spells Out Fannie-Freddie Backstop Plan - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) – Scrambling to bolster eroding investor confidence, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department have announced steps to brace slumping mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

89. Crye-Leike’s Meyer Hits 20 Years With Company - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Chris Meyer has reached his 20th anniversary at Crye-Leike Realtors as a licensed sales associate. Meyer is a Life Member of both the Memphis Area Association of Realtors and the Crye-Leike Multi-Million Dollar Clubs. He is a licensed affiliate broker in Tennessee and Mississippi, specializing in residential real estate with a focus on new home construction and relocation.

90. Feds Offer More Info on Drug Ring - Friday, May 02, 2008

A race-car driver with a habit of vacuum-sealing thousands of dollars in plastic has filled in for an exiled Memphis drug kingpin, according to federal drug agents.

Memphian Bobby D. Cole's name was linked to Craig Petties last month in the latest court documents filed with a link to the mammoth drug conspiracy and murder-for-hire case against Petties and eight others.

91. Being a Real Pro Is a State Of Mind, Johnson Says - Friday, April 18, 2008

University of Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson admits the attention Tigers athletics gets is out of proportion to what it probably deserves given other nonsports accomplishments at the university.

92. Filing Deadline For Elections Is Thursday - Tuesday, April 01, 2008

A healthy voter turnout doesn't necessarily mean every race on the ballot gets the benefit. Politicos call it "ballot falloff." It means races such as those for president or mayor get voters to the polls. But those same voters might decide not to vote in the other races.

93. Portrait of Violent Drug Ring Emerges In Petties Case - Tuesday, April 01, 2008

One of the largest federal drug cases in Memphis Federal Court has taken another turn. It's been nearly six years since a grand jury indicted Craig Petties on charges of possessing 600 pounds of marijuana.

94. Shoemaker Financial's Allen Earns Circle of Excellence - Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Frank Allen, a certified financial planner and financial adviser with Shoemaker Financial, has achieved the Circle of Excellence award from Securian Financial Services for his performance in 2007.

95. Obama, Huckabee Dominate Shelby in Tenn. Primaries - Thursday, February 07, 2008

The presidential primary season came to a rain-soaked and stormy end Tuesday evening in Memphis even as some voters were still showing up at the polls.

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee carried Shelby County in Tuesday's Tennessee presidential primaries in which 24 percent of Shelby County's 611,000 registered voters cast ballots.

96. Obama, Huckabee Carry Shelby In Tn Primary - Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee carried Shelby County in Tuesday’s Tennessee presidential primaries.

Huckabee went on to win statewide in the GOP contest while New York Sen. Hillary Clinton took the statewide Democratic primary.

97. Early Votes Set Stage for 'Super Tuesday' - Friday, January 25, 2008

Through the first five days of early voting, 1,152 Shelby County voters have cast ballots in advance of the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" election. Early voting opened Jan. 16 at Shelby County Election Commission headquarters, 157 Poplar Ave. The balloting expands to 18 satellite locations starting today.

98. Obama Starts TV Ads in 4 Tennessee Markets - Tuesday, January 22, 2008

CHATTANOOGA (AP) - Barack Obama is running television advertisements in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville, in what supporters say is the first such market buy for Tennessee's Feb. 5 Democratic presidential primary.

99. U.S. Banks Seeing Higher Delinquencies on More Than Just Mortgage Payments - Thursday, January 17, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) - The bill for America's excessive borrowing during the housing boom has arrived, and more people are having trouble paying it.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co., two of the nation's biggest banks, on Wednesday joined a growing chorus warning that the subprime mortgage mess is just the start of a sweeping lending crisis. And some fear that consumers falling behind on all kinds of loan payments could tip the economy's scale toward recession.

100. Primary Voting Begins Today - Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Early voting in the Feb. 5 Tennessee presidential primaries and the primaries for Shelby County property assessor and General Sessions Court clerk opens today.

Shelby County voters begin making their choices in the presidential races as the contenders are focused on the coming South Carolina primaries.