Following an epic gymnastic display rivaling the gold-medal routine of Simone Biles, the GOP primary board and state executive committee cleared the way for former Democratic state legislator John DeBerry to become the party’s de facto nominee for Shelby County Mayor. DeBerry had been serving as Senior Advisor to two-term Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee, prior to announcing his candidacy for mayor.
DeBerry was ousted from the Democratic primary ballot in 2020 after representing his House district for 25 years. The unceremonious removal followed DeBerry’s support for a school voucher program, restrictions on abortion, and his vote for Republican Glen Casada for Speaker of the House. DeBerry remained on the 2020 ballot as an independent but was soundly defeated by Democratic nominee and now Representative Torrey Harris.
A long-time Church of Christ minister, there is no doubt that DeBerry is conservative on some social issues. However, he has historically demonstrated concern for the poor and his former overwhelmingly African American constituency.
In a recent profile in The Commercial Appeal, DeBerry said:
“We need an individual in Shelby County in that mayor’s office that’s going to build consensus, build bridges, build relationships that are going to benefit the people of Shelby County.”
Whether DeBerry is sincere or the quote is part of campaign messaging designed to appeal to critical crossover voters depends on DeBerry’s loyalty to the party’s leader, President Donald Trump. Trump, of course, is not known for “building” anything other than a gaudy Mar-a-lago-inspired ballroom in place of the East Wing of the White House.
Where DeBerry’s loyalties lie can be determined by his answers to these so far unasked questions about 3 key Trump policies impacting Shelby County.
Does DeBerry support the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis?
This is a separate question from whether additional law enforcement officers and entities should have been deployed to fight crime. Many who support more law enforcement resources believe the National Guard in a crime-suppression role is either uncomfortable or unnecessary. Of course, the deployment of the Guard in Memphis followed Trump’s use of the Guard in D. C. and well-documented proclivity for desiring to employ the military to achieve domestic objectives.
Does DeBerry support the tactics of ICE in Memphis and cooperation from local law enforcement?
Both on this question and the previous, the current Shelby County Mayor, Lee Harris, has been an ardent opponent. It is worth noting that Harris was twice elected by Shelby County voters. The Institute for Public Service Reporting has extensively documented dubious ICE tactics and arrests in Memphis. As in other communities, the vast majority of detainments by ICE are of people without a criminal record. What was the primary issue catapulting Trump to victory in 2024 has become very unpopular, prompting Trump to back down in Minneapolis and ultimately to fire his Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem.
Does DeBerry support the abolishment of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion efforts and programs?
The abolition of DEI has been a signature piece of the Trump agenda, impacting schools, universities, state and local governments, and many other government-funded entities. In many cases, the private sector has followed suit. But the county DeBerry wants to represent is both majority African American and one of the poorest cities in the nation. For the moment, programs designed to assist minority and women-owned businesses are off the table, as well as educational opportunities for black and brown young people.
DeBerry’s answers to these questions are not only about policy, but also about politics, too. These days, grassroots Republicans appear content to follow Trump off the proverbial cliff. DeBerry's departure from Trump and the local GOP on these issues would be demoralizing for his base and possibly disqualifying in the eyes of hardcore conservative voters. On the other hand, Democrats have easily swept countywide races in the last two cycles. For a Republican to win countywide, DeBerry will need help from moderate Democrats and Independents. Both groups express strong dissatisfaction with Trump and many of his policies.
Energizing the Republican base and appealing to moderate Dems and Independents is a tightrope walk for DeBerry. Having to balance on the wire depends on whether anyone bothers to ask him these questions.