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{{Short description|American educator, politician, and attorney}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name= A C Wharton Jr.
|name = A C Wharton Jr.
|image=Mayor A C Wharton Memphis TN 2012-04-28 003.jpg
|image = A C Wharton 8b9747d501dc52e57bad57a4997d0e6c (3x4a).JPG
|caption = Wharton in 2002
|order=
|office= 63rd [[List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee|Mayor of Memphis]]
|order =
|office = 63rd [[List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee|Mayor of Memphis]]
|term_start=October 26, 2009
|term_start = October 26, 2009
|term_end=December 31, 2015
|term_end = December 31, 2015
|predecessor= [[W. W. Herenton|Willie Herenton]] <br/> [[Myron Lowery]] (pro tem)
|predecessor = [[W. W. Herenton|Willie Herenton]] <br/> [[Myron Lowery]] (pro tem)
|successor= [[Jim Strickland (politician)|Jim Strickland]]
|successor = [[Jim Strickland (politician)|Jim Strickland]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|birthname =
|birthname =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|8|17}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|8|17}}
|birth_place = [[Lebanon, Tennessee]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|birth_place = [[Lebanon, Tennessee]], U.S.
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
|spouse = Ruby Wharton
|spouse = Ruby Wharton
|children =
|children =
|alma_mater = [[Tennessee State University]] <small>([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])</small><br/>[[University of Mississippi]] <small>([[Law degree|JD]])</small>
|alma_mater = [[Tennessee State University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br/>[[University of Mississippi]] ([[Law degree|JD]])
|website = {{URL|http://acwharton.com/|ACwharton.com}}
|website = {{URL|http://acwharton.com/|ACwharton.com}}
|footnotes=
|footnotes =
}}
}}


'''A C Wharton Jr.''' (born August 17, 1944) is an American educator, politician, and attorney who served as the 63rd [[mayor]] of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], [[Tennessee]] and previously [[County executive|mayor]] of [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]]. He is the first [[African American]] to serve as Mayor of Shelby County.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,397281,00.html Harold Ford Jr. Reaches For the Stars], ''[[Time magazine]]'', 10 December 2002</ref>
'''A C Wharton Jr.''' (born August 17, 1944) is an American educator, politician, and attorney who served as the 63rd mayor of [[Memphis, Tennessee]] and previously mayor of [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]]. He was the first African American to serve as mayor of Shelby County.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021212093611/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,397281,00.html Harold Ford Jr. Reaches For the Stars], ''[[Time magazine]]'', 10 December 2002</ref>


==Early life, education, and early career ==
==Early life, education, and early career ==
A C Wharton was born and raised in [[Lebanon, Tennessee]].<ref>https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/honorable-c-wharton-jr</ref> A C Wharton shares his name with his father and grandfather, and named his eldest son by the same name. Wharton has stated that his first name is simply the letters "A" and "C" and does not stand for anything else.<ref>[http://www.memphisdowntowner.com/A%20C%20Wharton.html My 2 Cents: A C Wharton Jr.] {{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref>
A C Wharton was born and raised in [[Lebanon, Tennessee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/honorable-c-wharton-jr|title = The Honorable a C Wharton, Jr.'s Biography}}</ref> A C Wharton shares his name with his father and grandfather, and named his eldest son by the same name. Wharton has stated that his first name is simply the letters "A" and "C" and does not stand for anything else.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.memphisdowntowner.com/A%20C%20Wharton.html |title=My 2 Cents: A C Wharton Jr. |access-date=2010-08-07 |archive-date=2019-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226234131/http://www.memphisdowntowner.com/A%20C%20Wharton.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


He graduated from [[Tennessee State University]] with a degree in [[Political Science]] and earned a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of Mississippi]]. He became an academic, teaching at the university for 25 years.<ref>[http://www.memphistn.gov/Government/ExecutiveDivision/MayorsOffice.aspx] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229232414/http://www.memphistn.gov/Government/ExecutiveDivision/MayorsOffice.aspx |date=2015-12-29 }} {{Memphis government website}}</ref>
He graduated from [[Tennessee State University]] with a degree in [[political science]] and earned a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from the [[University of Mississippi]]. He became an academic, teaching at the university for 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.memphistn.gov/Government/ExecutiveDivision/MayorsOffice.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229232414/http://www.memphistn.gov/Government/ExecutiveDivision/MayorsOffice.aspx |archive-date=2015-12-29 |title=Memphis government website}}</ref>


In 1980, then-Shelby County Mayor [[William N. Morris|Bill Morris]] appointed Wharton as Chief Shelby County Public Defender. His concern for the mentally ill in the criminal justice system resulted in the Jericho Initiative, which became a national model program.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100528003440/http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/Government/OfficeoftheMayor/nr090303_JerichoProject.htm Mayor A C Wharton Launches the Jericho Initiative], Shelby County Government press release, March 3, 2009. Archived by archive.org on May 28, 2010.</ref> He chaired the county's Jail Overcrowding Committee and developed new ways to reduce overcrowding without compromising public safety.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Building America's Future | title=A C Wharton | url=http://www.bafuture.org/members/member/c-wharton | access-date=July 20, 2015 }}</ref>
In 1980, then-Shelby County Mayor [[William N. Morris|Bill Morris]] appointed Wharton as Chief Shelby County Public Defender. His concern for the mentally ill in the criminal justice system resulted in the Jericho Initiative, which became a national model program.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100528003440/http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/Government/OfficeoftheMayor/nr090303_JerichoProject.htm Mayor A C Wharton Launches the Jericho Initiative], Shelby County Government press release, March 3, 2009. Archived by archive.org on May 28, 2010.</ref> He chaired the county's Jail Overcrowding Committee and developed new ways to reduce overcrowding without compromising public safety.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Building America's Future | title=A C Wharton | url=http://www.bafuture.org/members/member/c-wharton | access-date=July 20, 2015 }}</ref>


==Shelby County Mayor==
==Shelby County Mayor==
In 2002 Wharton was elected as the first African-American mayor of Shelby County. He became a member of the [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml |title=Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020183627/http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml |archivedate=2013-10-20 |df= }}</ref> a group with the stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." Wharton initiated Operation Safe Community.<ref>Memphis Fast Forward: Operation Safe Community http://memphisfastforward.com/category/operation-safe-community/ {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106013437/http://memphisfastforward.com/category/operation-safe-community/ |date=January 6, 2009 }}</ref> In addition, he developed a program to help prisoners develop the skills to succeed in life and to support their families. He increased funding for the drug court. He is credited with working to toughen gun laws and seeking passage of laws that make criminals pay into a special program to help victims.
In 2002 Wharton was elected as the first African-American mayor of Shelby County. He became a member of the [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml |title=Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020183627/http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml |archivedate=2013-10-20 }}</ref> a group with the stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." Wharton initiated Operation Safe Community.<ref>Memphis Fast Forward: Operation Safe Community http://memphisfastforward.com/category/operation-safe-community/ {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106013437/http://memphisfastforward.com/category/operation-safe-community/ |date=January 6, 2009 }}</ref> In addition, he developed a program to help prisoners develop the skills to succeed in life and to support their families. He increased funding for the drug court. He is credited with working to toughen gun laws and seeking passage of laws that make criminals pay into a special program to help victims.


Wharton improved the management and accountability of the County's [[Head Start Program|Head Start]] program. His reforms attracted the attention of the [[United States Congress]], where he was called to testify before the House Committee on Education, with many of his subsequent recommendations being incorporated as changes to public policy. He was a strong advocate "Books from Birth," a unique early-childhood education program which provides books for over 28,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County every year.<ref>[http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jun/30/one-for-the-02/ "One For the Books,"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 30 June 2009</ref>
Wharton improved the management and accountability of the county's [[Head Start Program|Head Start]] program. His reforms attracted the attention of the [[United States Congress]], where he was called to testify before the House Committee on Education, with many of his subsequent recommendations being incorporated as changes to public policy. He was a strong advocate "Books from Birth," a unique early-childhood education program which provides books for over 28,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County every year.<ref>[http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jun/30/one-for-the-02/ "One For the Books,"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 30 June 2009</ref>


Between 2008 and 2009, Wharton convened and led the community-wide effort which led to the drafting of Sustainable Shelby, an environmentally sustainable agenda for the county.<ref>"Sustainable Shelby: A Future of Choice, Not Chance," http://www.dpdgov.com/(plawzh553mnt5bzljfjhp43w)/portal/portal_content.aspx?ID=36&component=news&dept=dpd&cmid=97</ref>
Between 2008 and 2009, Wharton convened and led the community-wide effort which led to the drafting of Sustainable Shelby, an environmentally sustainable agenda for the county.<ref>"Sustainable Shelby: A Future of Choice, Not Chance," http://www.dpdgov.com/(plawzh553mnt5bzljfjhp43w)/portal/portal_content.aspx?ID=36&component=news&dept=dpd&cmid=97</ref>


==Memphis Mayor==
==Memphis mayor==


===Election===
===Election===
In June 2009, Wharton announced his intentions to run for mayor of Memphis in a special election to replace Mayor [[W. W. Herenton]], who vacated the office soon after being elected to his fifth term in order to run again for superintendent of the city school board.<ref>"The campaign has begun," June 26, 2009, {{cite web|url=http://memphisnewsblog.com/2009/06/the-campaign-has-begun.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-10-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714072159/http://memphisnewsblog.com/2009/06/the-campaign-has-begun.html |archivedate=2011-07-14 }}</ref> The special election was held on October 15, 2009. Based on unofficial returns, Wharton won election with 60 percent of the vote in a field of 25 candidates.<ref name="CA1">Alex Doniach, [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/15/new-mayor-memphis-will-be-elected-tonight/ "A C Wharton wins with 60 percent of vote; turnout less than 25 percent"], ''Commercial Appeal (Memphis)'' website, updated October 15, 2009, 11:00&nbsp;pm</ref>
In June 2009, Wharton announced his intentions to run for mayor of Memphis in a special election to replace Mayor [[W. W. Herenton]], who vacated the office soon after being elected to his fifth term in order to run again for superintendent of the city school board.<ref>"The campaign has begun," June 26, 2009, {{cite web|url=http://memphisnewsblog.com/2009/06/the-campaign-has-begun.html |title=The campaign has begun - Eye on Politics |accessdate=2009-10-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714072159/http://memphisnewsblog.com/2009/06/the-campaign-has-begun.html |archivedate=2011-07-14 }}</ref> The special election was held on October 15, 2009. Based on unofficial returns, Wharton won election with 60 percent of the vote in a field of 25 candidates.<ref name="CA1">Alex Doniach, [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/15/new-mayor-memphis-will-be-elected-tonight/ "A C Wharton wins with 60 percent of vote; turnout less than 25 percent"], ''Commercial Appeal (Memphis)'' website, updated October 15, 2009, 11:00&nbsp;pm</ref>


Wharton was sworn into office on October 26, 2009.<ref>Daniel Connolly, Zack McMillin [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/26/wharton-sweeps-city-hall-broom/ "Wharton sweeps into City Hall with a broom"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 26 October 2009, Retrieved October 26, 2009.</ref> He was the fourth African American to serve as [[List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee|Mayor of Memphis]] (previous African-American mayors were J. O. Patterson Jr., [[W. W. Herenton]], and [[Myron Lowery]]). He was the second African American (after Herenton) to be elected to that office.
Wharton was sworn into office on October 26, 2009.<ref>Daniel Connolly, Zack McMillin [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/26/wharton-sweeps-city-hall-broom/ "Wharton sweeps into City Hall with a broom"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 26 October 2009, Retrieved October 26, 2009.</ref> He was the fourth African American to serve as [[List of mayors of Memphis, Tennessee|Mayor of Memphis]] (previous African-American mayors were J. O. Patterson Jr., [[W. W. Herenton]], and [[Myron Lowery]]). He was the second African American (after Herenton) to be elected to that office.


===Tenure===
===Tenure===
In 2010, Wharton pledged to build over 50 miles of bicycle lanes and associated facilities in Memphis.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2013/05/mayor-wharton-to-highlight.html], ''Biz Journals''</ref> Memphis had been ranked as one of America's worst cities for cycling by ''Bicycling'' magazine in 2008.<ref name="memphis">[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/us/memphis-aims-to-be-a-friendlier-place-for-cyclists.html?_r=0 "Memphis Aims to Be a Friendlier Place for Cyclists"], ''New York Times'', 29 December 2012</ref> The [[Memphis Greenline]] was completed and bike lanes were designated throughout the city. There are plans for further expansion with the aid of a $15 million federal grant.<ref name="memphis"/> In 2010 Wharton hired the city's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.
In 2010, Wharton pledged to build over 50 miles of bicycle lanes and associated facilities in Memphis.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2013/05/mayor-wharton-to-highlight.html], ''Biz Journals''</ref> Memphis had been ranked as one of America's worst cities for cycling by ''Bicycling'' magazine in 2008.<ref name="memphis">[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/us/memphis-aims-to-be-a-friendlier-place-for-cyclists.html?_r=0 "Memphis Aims to Be a Friendlier Place for Cyclists"], ''The New York Times'', 29 December 2012</ref> The [[Memphis Greenline]] was completed and bike lanes were designated throughout the city. There are plans for further expansion with the aid of a $15 million federal grant.<ref name="memphis"/> In 2010 Wharton hired the city's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.


He created the city's Office of Talent and Capital in 2010 in an effort to promote employment in the city.<ref>[http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=48647]</ref>
He created the city's Office of Talent and Capital in 2010 in an effort to promote employment in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=48647|title = Wharton: New City Office Will be City Funded}}</ref>


In September 2013, a [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation]] report recognized Memphis as a paradigm for a government focused on job creation, crime reduction, and economic growth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.memphischamber.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/The-U-S-Chamber-Highlights-Memphis-Tennessees-Ec#.Ulwm1VB6buI |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016015133/http://www.memphischamber.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/The-U-S-Chamber-Highlights-Memphis-Tennessees-Ec#.Ulwm1VB6buI#.Ulwm1VB6buI |archive-date=2013-10-16 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref> The Chamber cited development strategies created by Wharton's "Innovation Delivery Team" in praising Memphis.
In September 2013, a [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation]] report recognized Memphis as a paradigm for a government focused on job creation, crime reduction, and economic growth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.memphischamber.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/The-U-S-Chamber-Highlights-Memphis-Tennessees-Ec |title=Greater Memphis Chamber - Press Releases |access-date=2013-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016015133/http://www.memphischamber.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/The-U-S-Chamber-Highlights-Memphis-Tennessees-Ec#.Ulwm1VB6buI |archive-date=2013-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Chamber cited development strategies created by Wharton's "Innovation Delivery Team" in praising Memphis.


Wharton has been criticized for awarding contracts to his friends,<ref>[https://archive.is/20130407165616/http://www.abc24.com/mostpopular/story/City-Spent-Thousands-More-for-Contract-with/s6aNTNIWCkiqLoHdQhCJ5g.cspx City Spent Thousands More for Contract with Mayor's Friend], ABC 24</ref> underfunding [[Memphis City Schools]],<ref>"Mayor Wharton offers partial payment to Memphis schools" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/29/mayor-wharton-offers-partial-payment-memphis-schoo/?print=1</ref> underfunding the [[Memphis Police Department]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/City-Council-Blames-Mayor-Wharton-for-Blue-Crush/2A0zIduuNkyw0wy87ZbKaw.cspx# |title=City Council Blames Mayor Wharton for Blue Crush Cuts |access-date=2013-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110094101/http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/City-Council-Blames-Mayor-Wharton-for-Blue-Crush/2A0zIduuNkyw0wy87ZbKaw.cspx# |archive-date=2013-01-10 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref> and for cutting services for young people and the elderly,<ref>"Memphis Mayor A C Wharton's budget proposal shuts out athletics" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/20/budget-proposal-shuts-out-athletics/</ref> while offering incentive packages to corporate interests.<ref>"Memphis Mayor Wharton blasts critics of economic development efforts" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/feb/22/memphis-mayor-wharton-blasts-critics-economic-deve/</ref> He has reiterated his commitment to economic development and job creation, to benefit all citizens.
Wharton has been criticized for awarding contracts to his friends,<ref>[https://archive.today/20130407165616/http://www.abc24.com/mostpopular/story/City-Spent-Thousands-More-for-Contract-with/s6aNTNIWCkiqLoHdQhCJ5g.cspx City Spent Thousands More for Contract with Mayor's Friend], ABC 24</ref> underfunding [[Memphis City Schools]],<ref>"Mayor Wharton offers partial payment to Memphis schools" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/29/mayor-wharton-offers-partial-payment-memphis-schoo/?print=1</ref> underfunding the [[Memphis Police Department]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/City-Council-Blames-Mayor-Wharton-for-Blue-Crush/2A0zIduuNkyw0wy87ZbKaw.cspx |title=City Council Blames Mayor Wharton for Blue Crush Cuts |access-date=2013-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110094101/http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/City-Council-Blames-Mayor-Wharton-for-Blue-Crush/2A0zIduuNkyw0wy87ZbKaw.cspx |archive-date=2013-01-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and for cutting services for young people and the elderly,<ref>"Memphis Mayor A C Wharton's budget proposal shuts out athletics" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/20/budget-proposal-shuts-out-athletics/</ref> while offering incentive packages to corporate interests.<ref>"Memphis Mayor Wharton blasts critics of economic development efforts" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/feb/22/memphis-mayor-wharton-blasts-critics-economic-deve/</ref> He has reiterated his commitment to economic development and job creation, to benefit all citizens.


Wharton publicly disagreed with the 2010 ''[[Forbes]]'' ranking of Memphis as the ''Most Miserable City in America''.<ref>[http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/feb/23/mayor-c-wharton-says-its-time-memphis-control-mess/ "Mayor A C Wharton says it’s time for Memphis to control the message"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 23 February 2010</ref> By 2013, four years into Wharton's tenure as mayor, Memphis no longer appeared on that ''Forbes'' list of miserable cities in any rank.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/02/21/detroit-tops-2013-list-of-americas-most-miserable-cities/]</ref>
Wharton publicly disagreed with the 2010 ''[[Forbes]]'' ranking of Memphis as the ''Most Miserable City in America''.<ref>[http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/feb/23/mayor-c-wharton-says-its-time-memphis-control-mess/ "Mayor A C Wharton says it's time for Memphis to control the message"], ''Commercial Appeal'', 23 February 2010</ref> By 2013, four years into Wharton's tenure as mayor, Memphis no longer appeared on that ''Forbes'' list of miserable cities in any rank.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/02/21/detroit-tops-2013-list-of-americas-most-miserable-cities/|title = Detroit Tops 2013 List of America's Most Miserable Cities| website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>


On June 17, 2014, the Memphis City Council passed Wharton's budget "that includes Mayor A C Wharton’s plan to cut retiree and current employee health benefits".<ref>[http://wreg.com/2014/06/17/memphis-city-council-passes-operating-budget/]</ref> Under Wharton's budget, all current city employees and retirees (under the age of 65) (including Police and Fire) would have to pay 24% in increased health insurance premiums. City Retirees over the age of 65 now have to pay 100% of their health insurance premiums.<ref>[http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2014/06/18/memphis-city-council-cuts-employee-benefits-in-budget-vote "Memphis City Council Cuts Employee Benefits"], ''Memphis Flyer,'' 18 June 2014</ref>
On June 17, 2014, the Memphis City Council passed Wharton's budget "that includes Mayor A C Wharton's plan to cut retiree and current employee health benefits".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wreg.com/2014/06/17/memphis-city-council-passes-operating-budget/|title = Memphis taxes unchanged, employees and retirees pay more under new budget|date = 18 June 2014}}</ref> Under Wharton's budget, all current city employees and retirees (under the age of 65) (including Police and Fire) would have to pay 24% in increased health insurance premiums. City Retirees over the age of 65 now have to pay 100% of their health insurance premiums.<ref>[http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2014/06/18/memphis-city-council-cuts-employee-benefits-in-budget-vote "Memphis City Council Cuts Employee Benefits"], ''Memphis Flyer,'' 18 June 2014</ref>


On October 8, 2015, A C Wharton lost his re-election campaign for a second term as Memphis Mayor and conceded to [[Jim Strickland (politician)|Jim Strickland]], former city councilman. He only obtained 22,199 votes as compared to Strickland's 41,829. As a result of this loss, his last day in office was December 31, 2015.
On October 8, 2015, A C Wharton lost his re-election campaign for a second term as Memphis Mayor and conceded to [[Jim Strickland (politician)|Jim Strickland]], former city councilman. He only obtained 22,199 votes as compared to Strickland's 41,829. As a result of this loss, his last day in office was December 31, 2015.


===Lawsuits===
===Lawsuits===
In 2010, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] and the [[Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation]] filed a joint federal lawsuit against the city administration for violating the [[Clean Water Act]] and the state Water Quality Control Act.<ref>"EPA sues city of Memphis for violations of Clean Water Act" {{cite web|url=http://www.watertechonline.com/municipal-industrial/article/epa-sues-city-of-memphis-for-violations-of-clean-water-act |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929035046/http://www.watertechonline.com/municipal-industrial/article/epa-sues-city-of-memphis-for-violations-of-clean-water-act |archivedate=2011-09-29 }}</ref>
In 2010, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] and the [[Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation]] filed a joint federal lawsuit against the city administration for violating the [[Clean Water Act]] and the state Water Quality Control Act.<ref>"EPA sues city of Memphis for violations of Clean Water Act" {{cite web|url=http://www.watertechonline.com/municipal-industrial/article/epa-sues-city-of-memphis-for-violations-of-clean-water-act |title=EPA sues city of Memphis for violations of Clean Water Act |accessdate=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929035046/http://www.watertechonline.com/municipal-industrial/article/epa-sues-city-of-memphis-for-violations-of-clean-water-act |archivedate=2011-09-29 }}</ref>


In 2011 on a different issue, city employees filed a federal class action suit against the Wharton administration,<ref>"City Charged with Union-Busting Efforts as Federal Suit is Filed" http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/07/12/city-charged-with-union-busting-efforts-as-federal-suit-is-filed&show=comments</ref> claiming that his budget and relations with the city union violated city employees' [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] and the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] rights.<ref>[http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/jul/11/municipal-unions-sue-city-over-budget/ "Municipal Unions Sue City Over Budget"], ''Memphis Daily News'', 11 July 2011</ref>
In 2011 on a different issue, city employees filed a federal class action suit against the Wharton administration,<ref>"City Charged with Union-Busting Efforts as Federal Suit is Filed" http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/07/12/city-charged-with-union-busting-efforts-as-federal-suit-is-filed&show=comments</ref> claiming that his budget and relations with the city union violated city employees' [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] and the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] rights.<ref>[http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/jul/11/municipal-unions-sue-city-over-budget/ "Municipal Unions Sue City Over Budget"], ''Memphis Daily News'', 11 July 2011</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Wharton lives in the [[Glenview Historic District (Memphis, Tennessee)|Glenview]] neighborhood of Memphis with his wife, Ruby, an attorney.<ref>Mayor A C Wharton's Biography {{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page%3D22 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122071555/http://cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=22 |archivedate=2010-11-22 |df= }}</ref> The couple has three sons together and raised three other boys. The Whartons also have seven grandchildren.<ref name="CAPowerfl">Alex Doniach [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/sep/20/publics-image-of-wharton-powerful/ "Public's image of Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton powerful"], ''Commercial Appeal''. Retrieved October 16, 2009.</ref>
Wharton lives in the [[Glenview Historic District (Memphis, Tennessee)|Glenview]] neighborhood of Memphis with his wife, Ruby, an attorney.<ref>Mayor A C Wharton's Biography {{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page%3D22 |title=Mayor of Memphis |accessdate=2010-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122071555/http://cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=22 |archivedate=2010-11-22 }}</ref> The couple has three sons together and raised three other boys. The Whartons also have seven grandchildren.<ref name="CAPowerfl">Alex Doniach [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/sep/20/publics-image-of-wharton-powerful/ "Public's image of Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton powerful"], ''Commercial Appeal''. Retrieved October 16, 2009.</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{s-aft|after=[[Jim Strickland (politician)|Jim Strickland]]}}
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{{Tennessee cities and mayors of 100,000 population}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wharton, A. C.}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Lebanon, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Lebanon, Tennessee]]
[[Category:African-American mayors]]
[[Category:African-American mayors in Tennessee]]
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[[Category:Heads of county government in Tennessee]]
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[[Category:20th-century American educators]]

Latest revision as of 18:15, 3 June 2023

A C Wharton Jr.
Wharton in 2002
63rd Mayor of Memphis
In office
October 26, 2009 – December 31, 2015
Preceded byWillie Herenton
Myron Lowery (pro tem)
Succeeded byJim Strickland
Personal details
Born (1944-08-17) August 17, 1944 (age 80)
Lebanon, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRuby Wharton
Alma materTennessee State University (BA)
University of Mississippi (JD)
WebsiteACwharton.com

A C Wharton Jr. (born August 17, 1944) is an American educator, politician, and attorney who served as the 63rd mayor of Memphis, Tennessee and previously mayor of Shelby County. He was the first African American to serve as mayor of Shelby County.[1]

Early life, education, and early career

[edit]

A C Wharton was born and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee.[2] A C Wharton shares his name with his father and grandfather, and named his eldest son by the same name. Wharton has stated that his first name is simply the letters "A" and "C" and does not stand for anything else.[3]

He graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in political science and earned a J.D. degree from the University of Mississippi. He became an academic, teaching at the university for 25 years.[4]

In 1980, then-Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris appointed Wharton as Chief Shelby County Public Defender. His concern for the mentally ill in the criminal justice system resulted in the Jericho Initiative, which became a national model program.[5] He chaired the county's Jail Overcrowding Committee and developed new ways to reduce overcrowding without compromising public safety.[6]

Shelby County Mayor

[edit]

In 2002 Wharton was elected as the first African-American mayor of Shelby County. He became a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[7] a group with the stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." Wharton initiated Operation Safe Community.[8] In addition, he developed a program to help prisoners develop the skills to succeed in life and to support their families. He increased funding for the drug court. He is credited with working to toughen gun laws and seeking passage of laws that make criminals pay into a special program to help victims.

Wharton improved the management and accountability of the county's Head Start program. His reforms attracted the attention of the United States Congress, where he was called to testify before the House Committee on Education, with many of his subsequent recommendations being incorporated as changes to public policy. He was a strong advocate "Books from Birth," a unique early-childhood education program which provides books for over 28,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County every year.[9]

Between 2008 and 2009, Wharton convened and led the community-wide effort which led to the drafting of Sustainable Shelby, an environmentally sustainable agenda for the county.[10]

Memphis mayor

[edit]

Election

[edit]

In June 2009, Wharton announced his intentions to run for mayor of Memphis in a special election to replace Mayor W. W. Herenton, who vacated the office soon after being elected to his fifth term in order to run again for superintendent of the city school board.[11] The special election was held on October 15, 2009. Based on unofficial returns, Wharton won election with 60 percent of the vote in a field of 25 candidates.[12]

Wharton was sworn into office on October 26, 2009.[13] He was the fourth African American to serve as Mayor of Memphis (previous African-American mayors were J. O. Patterson Jr., W. W. Herenton, and Myron Lowery). He was the second African American (after Herenton) to be elected to that office.

Tenure

[edit]

In 2010, Wharton pledged to build over 50 miles of bicycle lanes and associated facilities in Memphis.[14] Memphis had been ranked as one of America's worst cities for cycling by Bicycling magazine in 2008.[15] The Memphis Greenline was completed and bike lanes were designated throughout the city. There are plans for further expansion with the aid of a $15 million federal grant.[15] In 2010 Wharton hired the city's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.

He created the city's Office of Talent and Capital in 2010 in an effort to promote employment in the city.[16]

In September 2013, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation report recognized Memphis as a paradigm for a government focused on job creation, crime reduction, and economic growth.[17] The Chamber cited development strategies created by Wharton's "Innovation Delivery Team" in praising Memphis.

Wharton has been criticized for awarding contracts to his friends,[18] underfunding Memphis City Schools,[19] underfunding the Memphis Police Department[20] and for cutting services for young people and the elderly,[21] while offering incentive packages to corporate interests.[22] He has reiterated his commitment to economic development and job creation, to benefit all citizens.

Wharton publicly disagreed with the 2010 Forbes ranking of Memphis as the Most Miserable City in America.[23] By 2013, four years into Wharton's tenure as mayor, Memphis no longer appeared on that Forbes list of miserable cities in any rank.[24]

On June 17, 2014, the Memphis City Council passed Wharton's budget "that includes Mayor A C Wharton's plan to cut retiree and current employee health benefits".[25] Under Wharton's budget, all current city employees and retirees (under the age of 65) (including Police and Fire) would have to pay 24% in increased health insurance premiums. City Retirees over the age of 65 now have to pay 100% of their health insurance premiums.[26]

On October 8, 2015, A C Wharton lost his re-election campaign for a second term as Memphis Mayor and conceded to Jim Strickland, former city councilman. He only obtained 22,199 votes as compared to Strickland's 41,829. As a result of this loss, his last day in office was December 31, 2015.

Lawsuits

[edit]

In 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation filed a joint federal lawsuit against the city administration for violating the Clean Water Act and the state Water Quality Control Act.[27]

In 2011 on a different issue, city employees filed a federal class action suit against the Wharton administration,[28] claiming that his budget and relations with the city union violated city employees' First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment rights.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

Wharton lives in the Glenview neighborhood of Memphis with his wife, Ruby, an attorney.[30] The couple has three sons together and raised three other boys. The Whartons also have seven grandchildren.[31]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to A C Wharton.
  1. ^ Harold Ford Jr. Reaches For the Stars, Time magazine, 10 December 2002
  2. ^ "The Honorable a C Wharton, Jr.'s Biography".
  3. ^ "My 2 Cents: A C Wharton Jr". Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  4. ^ "Memphis government website". Archived from the original on 2015-12-29.
  5. ^ Mayor A C Wharton Launches the Jericho Initiative, Shelby County Government press release, March 3, 2009. Archived by archive.org on May 28, 2010.
  6. ^ "A C Wharton". Building America's Future. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20.
  8. ^ Memphis Fast Forward: Operation Safe Community http://memphisfastforward.com/category/operation-safe-community/ Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "One For the Books,", Commercial Appeal, 30 June 2009
  10. ^ "Sustainable Shelby: A Future of Choice, Not Chance," http://www.dpdgov.com/(plawzh553mnt5bzljfjhp43w)/portal/portal_content.aspx?ID=36&component=news&dept=dpd&cmid=97
  11. ^ "The campaign has begun," June 26, 2009, "The campaign has begun - Eye on Politics". Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  12. ^ Alex Doniach, "A C Wharton wins with 60 percent of vote; turnout less than 25 percent", Commercial Appeal (Memphis) website, updated October 15, 2009, 11:00 pm
  13. ^ Daniel Connolly, Zack McMillin "Wharton sweeps into City Hall with a broom", Commercial Appeal, 26 October 2009, Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  14. ^ [1], Biz Journals
  15. ^ a b "Memphis Aims to Be a Friendlier Place for Cyclists", The New York Times, 29 December 2012
  16. ^ "Wharton: New City Office Will be City Funded".
  17. ^ "Greater Memphis Chamber - Press Releases". Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  18. ^ City Spent Thousands More for Contract with Mayor's Friend, ABC 24
  19. ^ "Mayor Wharton offers partial payment to Memphis schools" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/29/mayor-wharton-offers-partial-payment-memphis-schoo/?print=1
  20. ^ "City Council Blames Mayor Wharton for Blue Crush Cuts". Archived from the original on 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  21. ^ "Memphis Mayor A C Wharton's budget proposal shuts out athletics" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/20/budget-proposal-shuts-out-athletics/
  22. ^ "Memphis Mayor Wharton blasts critics of economic development efforts" http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/feb/22/memphis-mayor-wharton-blasts-critics-economic-deve/
  23. ^ "Mayor A C Wharton says it's time for Memphis to control the message", Commercial Appeal, 23 February 2010
  24. ^ "Detroit Tops 2013 List of America's Most Miserable Cities". Forbes.
  25. ^ "Memphis taxes unchanged, employees and retirees pay more under new budget". 18 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Memphis City Council Cuts Employee Benefits", Memphis Flyer, 18 June 2014
  27. ^ "EPA sues city of Memphis for violations of Clean Water Act" "EPA sues city of Memphis for violations of Clean Water Act". Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  28. ^ "City Charged with Union-Busting Efforts as Federal Suit is Filed" http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/07/12/city-charged-with-union-busting-efforts-as-federal-suit-is-filed&show=comments
  29. ^ "Municipal Unions Sue City Over Budget", Memphis Daily News, 11 July 2011
  30. ^ Mayor A C Wharton's Biography "Mayor of Memphis". Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  31. ^ Alex Doniach "Public's image of Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton powerful", Commercial Appeal. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee
2009 – 2015 		Succeeded by
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