MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With so much controversy swirling around Shelby County clerk Wanda Halbert, a major question now is what impact will it have on the upcoming county general election?
Halbert is seeking a second term. But she is clearly the most embattled incumbent on the August 4th ballot, and that includes the bitter contest between incumbent District Attorney Amy Weirich and challenger Steve Mulroy.
The troubles plaguing Halbert are visible every day – with long lines of people outside clerk offices in the sweltering heat trying to get their automobile tags renewed. The clerk’s office also is woefully behind in sending tags to people who renewed by mail or online.
This week, the Greater Memphis Automobile Dealers Association added to Halbert’s troubles by calling for a state takeover of the distribution of new license plates in the county. Plus, Halbert has been at odds with county Mayor Lee Harris and members of the county commission as the controversy dragged on.
So what impact will this have on the election? Halbert easily defeated four other Democratic challengers in the May primary – getting some 28,000 votes more than her closest opponent. In August, she will face Republican Jeff Jacobs of Bartlett and Independent candidate Harold C. Smith of Memphis.
The odds still favor Halbert, but the constant stream of negative news and allegations of incompetence are not helping her campaign. And if she loses the seat, I won’t be surprised.