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Keith D. Austin
Office history
Background and education
Austin grew up in the Walker Homes area of Memphis and attended LeMoyne-Owen College 4. He also studied at Remington College's Memphis campus, according to his LinkedIn profile 3 (LinkedIn requires login; reflects the public profile as of 2023).
Career
Austin worked as an employee at Blues City Brewery in Memphis 2.
Office history
Austin was a candidate for Memphis City Council District 6 in the October 5, 2023 general election, challenging incumbent Edmund Ford Sr. 2. Campaign coverage described Austin as active in neighborhood cleanup efforts in his community and framed him as an outsider "challenging a local political dynasty" 1. Austin identified crime as the top issue facing Memphis and called for expanded community-center programming and after-school activities to give young people alternatives to gang involvement; he also expressed interest in economic development along Third Street, without providing specifics 2. Ford Sr. won re-election in the three-way race, according to unofficial returns reported by the Daily Memphian, defeating Austin and fellow challenger Larry Hunter 5.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Austin”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Austin”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Austin”and, if needed, select the applicable position.