The political action committee of the Greater Memphis Chamber is backing Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. for re-election.

WHARTON

Wharton faces a strong challenge in his re-election bid from Memphis City Council members Harold Collins and Jim Strickland. And a key issue in the hard-fought campaign is the city's pace of economic development during Wharton’s tenure.

Jobs PAC announced its choices Thursday, Aug. 20, after chamber members interviewed the contenders.

The PAC also endorsed candidates in 10 of the 13 Memphis City Council races on the Oct. 8 ballot.

The choices are: District 2, Frank Colvett; District 3, Patrice Robinson; District 4, Donnell Cobbins; District 5, Dan Springer; District 6, Edmund Ford Jr.; District 7, Berlin Boyd; Super District 8 Position 2, Janis Fullilove; Super District 8 Position 3, Mickell Lowery; Super District 9 Position 1, Kemp Conrad; and Super District 9 Position 2, Philip Spinosa.

This is the second time the Jobs PAC has endorsed candidates; it endorsed candidates in the 2014 county elections, backing 19 individuals, including 11 incumbents, with contributions totaling $43,000.

The Thursday announcement did not include the amount the committee will contribute to each of the candidates it backs.

Jobs PAC did not announce support in the race for City Court clerk. It also didn't back a candidate in Council District 1, Council Super District 8 Position 1 and Council Super District 9 Position 3.

The incumbents in all three council races – Bill Morrison, Joe Brown and Reid Hedgepeth, respectively – are seeking re-election against challengers.