Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins has declared her candidacy for Shelby County Mayor. Feagins's announcement came amidst an ongoing legal battle with the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) following her controversial dismissal last year, according to reports by Action News 5.
Feagins did not shy away from her intent to delve into the political arena during her campaign launch, held on December 17th. "I’m not here to give you a fluffy speech filled with empty promises about policies, but I am still here because the job is not done. The calling remains the same, and this is my home, and I’m not going anywhere," Feagins stated amid her bid for public office as she is squarely facing the ongoing lawsuit with MSCS. Pastor T. Kenneth Whalum Jr. publicly switched his endorsement to Feagins during the announcement rally, expressing to Action News 5, "I called him when Dr. Marie Feagins said she was in the race, and said, ‘I’m sorry, brother, I have to go with Dr. Marie Feagins.’"
Despite the legal controversies that loom from her tenure at MSCS, Feagins's inaugural campaign event highlighted no specific policy edicts, yet a media kit sent out later in the evening detailed issues she intends to tackle, like Public Health & Safety and Economic Growth & Mobility. Feagins has also experienced support from various community leaders, students, and even MSCS board members like Michelle McKissack and Amber Huett-Garcia, who previously backed her in her education role, Action News 5 reported.
Her legal proceedings continue nevertheless, as Feagins's latest attorney, Rachel Lambert, made a court appearance on her behalf. Circuit Court Judge W. Christopher Fruella indicated significant progress needs, to occur in the lawsuit and rescheduled the hearing to February. In a move suggesting continued challenges, Feagins's previous attorney filed a withdrawal motion on December 3 without listing reasons, as detailed by Local Memphis.
Maintaining momentum from her past educational leadership roles, and despite her newly placed foot in the political arena, Feagins seeks to mobilize the community from a different platform. "Although Shelby starts with 'she,' this county has never been led by a 'me,'" Feagins said, as reported by Local Memphis.
With a bustling field of candidates and an election on the horizon, Feagins's campaign journey has only begun, as confirmed by WREG, noting the filing period for candidacy remains open.
