When Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced that he was endorsing a Republican, Brent Taylor, for state senate in a district that has long been held by another Republican, a sole Democratic contender mounting an uphill battle in that district called for Strickland's censure by the Democratic party.
Political analyst Otis Sanford said both parties have become hostile to breaking ranks in an atmosphere where every vote matters.
Here in Shelby County, former sheriff and county mayor Mark Luttrell has a reputation for being a moderate, which is why Sanford says he was an ideal choice to chair the Shelby County Election Commission after Brent Taylor decided to run for senate.
Finally, this week Gov. Bill Lee has proposed $20 million to help Memphis build new docks on the waterfront to cater to the growing river tourism industry. Sanford says Republicans in Nashville have traditionally been lukewarm to funding projects in Memphis. But building a new stadium for the Tennessee Titans? Well, that could be a different story.