Swearengen named new chair of the Memphis City Council
The vote to select the Memphis City Council’s new leadership illustrated the often-clandestine habits of the city’s legislative body.
Jamita Swearengen, who represents Orange Mound, Buntyn and parts of Cooper-young in District 4, became the new chairwoman Tuesday. Councilman Martavius Jones, who represents half the city in Super District 8, became the new vicechairman.
“Thank you so much for your vote of confidence and believing in my leadership,” Swearengen said, pledging to work with everyone to better the lives of Memphians
Jones said, “I vow to make you proud... Thank you for your confidence.”
The votes to appoint Swearengen and Jones seemed predetermined — there was little debate over who should be the chair, but, instead, the process went quickly. Swearengen was nominated by Councilman Jeff Warren and the nomination was closed. Swearengen even had a news release ready to go upon her appointment.
The nomination went quickly for Jones, too. Councilman JB Smiley, Jr. nominated him and nominations were closed seconds later.
The council chairperson is selected after a nomination by their peers. A simple majority vote appoints the chair and vice-chair. The powers of the chair are simple: They control the agenda and floor during Memphis City Council meetings.
It was not exactly a secret that Swearengen wanted the job. The District 4 councilwoman was the vice-chair the past year, which put her in line to succeed Frank Colvett, the current chairman, as part of the council’s sometimes-followed tradition of the vicechair being the next year’s chair.
The Commercial Appeal asked Swearengen Tuesday if she was running. She said she was and said she did not know where the votes were.
Jones, for his part, said he would be nominating Swearengen for the chairwomanship. The CA asked several other members of the council who they would be voting for. Councilman Edmund Ford, Sr. said he was not in the running but said little else. Warren laughed when he heard the question.
The lack of discussion from the city council ahead of its vote on leadership positions is nothing new. The council often seems to have worked out its disagreements on sensitive topics ahead of time. During tense discussions at meetings, members often wander the dais and huddle with one another, speaking quietly. Those extra-curricular discussions likely violate the state’s Sunshine law, which precludes members from deliberating outside of public meetings.
Samuel Hardiman covers Memphis city government, politics and energy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by email at samuel.hardiman@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter at @samhardiman.