{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"James Kirkwood","chatgptsummary":"James Kirkwood is a native Memphian and the Lead Pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Ministries. He has over 30 years of experience serving on the Memphis Police Department and now works as the Executive Director for the Memphis Christian Pastors Network. Kirkwood holds a master's degree in leadership and is focused on building relationships with various stakeholders to address the challenges faced by the city. He values integrity, hard work, diversity, and teamwork, and is dedicated to serving the people of Memphis.","notes":"https://www.electjameskirkwood.com/","party":"","person":{"biography":"[https://www.electjameskirkwood.com/](https://www.electjameskirkwood.com/)\n\nJames Kirkwood is a native Memphian who loves his city, but he is not oblivious to the challenges our city faces. He is the Lead Pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Ministries in the heart of Scutterfield, Memphis (North Memphis). After serving on the Memphis Police Department for over thirty years, he, with a master's degree in leadership, now acts as the Executive Director for the Memphis Christian Pastors Network. MCPN is a network of 67 pastors who are united in seeking the welfare of our city by bringing down the racial divide between the Christian church and reducing poverty by connecting unskilled individuals to upskilling opportunities by way of vocational, career technology education (Southwest, Moore Tech, TCAT, UpSmith). \n\nKirkwood understands that to serve the people under his area of influence truly, he has to build relationships with people, organizations, businesses, and government. He believes he has been called upon to serve in ways to accomplish good for the people of Memphis. He divides his time concerned with the city's constituents' spiritual, emotional, and economic well-being and with his wife of over twenty years, four daughters, 14 grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.\n\nHe is a person with strong values of integrity, hard work, diversity, and teamwork. He leads with compassion and seeks to solve problems in an honorable way. He has placed his life on the line for this city. Now, he is placing his trust in the hands of District 3.","firstname":"James","lastname":"Kirkwood","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"7uGaO7rTAd"},"token":"james_kirkwood"},{"candidatename":"Kawanias \"Kaye\" McNeary","chatgptsummary":"Based on the limited information provided, Kawanias \"Kaye\" McNeary studied at Memphis State University and attended Carver High School. There is no information available regarding their work history or previous offices held. Without further information, it is difficult to evaluate their suitability for the elected position of Memphis City Council District 3.","notes":"https://www.youtube.com/live/eweD2Ee1udk?feature=share&t=1649","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nKawanias \"Kaye\" McNeary ran for Memphis City Council District 3 in the October 5, 2023 general election as a political newcomer, one of five candidates for the open seat. She did not advance, as the seat was ultimately won by Pearl Walker in a November 2023 runoff.\n\n## Sources\n\n- [1] [Five compete for open City Council District 3 seat \u2013 Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/38369/memphis-city-council-district-3) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-20","firstname":"Kawanias","lastname":"McNeary","middlename":"Kaye","suffix":null,"token":"WjpWYPw3H2"},"token":"kawanias_kaye_mcneary"},{"candidatename":"Towanna C. Murphy","chatgptsummary":"Based on the information provided, Towanna C. Murphy is a radio personality and talk show host with experience in the media industry. She is the CEO and founder of Project Let's Read, a literacy-focused organization. She has studied at Bryant & Stratton College and attended North Division High School. It is unclear from the information provided how her education and work history specifically relate to the elected position of Memphis City Council District 3.","notes":"https://www.facebook.com/towanna.murphyratliff/","party":"","person":{"biography":"Radio Personality/Host at AM730KQPN\n\nTV Host at Towanna Murphy Radio & TV Show\n\nTalk Show Host at Memphis CW30\n\nChief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder at Project Let's Read\n\nSelf-Employed at WDEM RADIO 98.5 FM\n\nWorks at AM990 KWAM\n\nRadio Personalities at Wtlsr R&B & Hip-Hop Radio\n\nStudied at Bryant & Stratton College\n\nWent to North Division High School\n\nLives in Cordova, Tennessee\n\n\nLinks:\n\nFacebook: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/towanna.murphyratliff/)\n\nInstagram: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/wdem_98.5fm)\n\n","firstname":"Towanna","lastname":"Murphy","middlename":"C.","suffix":null,"token":"Iq7VjoHu6n"},"token":"towanna_c_murphy"},{"candidatename":"Ricky Dixon","chatgptsummary":"Based on the information provided, Ricky Dixon is a candidate running for the elected position of Memphis City Council District 3. However, there is no substantive information available regarding his education, work history, or previous offices held. Without this information, it is difficult to evaluate his suitability for the job as a mayor of a large city.","notes":"https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063777488189","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- Democratic candidate for **Shelby County Commissioner, District 9**, in the May 5, 2026 primary. No incumbent in the race; the Republican primary for the seat was canceled. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ricky_Dixon), [SCEC Final Candidate List](https://electionsshelbytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Final-Candidate-List-May-5-2026-Election.pdf))\n- 2026 stated top priorities: public safety, pre-K education, and delivery of public services. ([Commercial Appeal via AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidates-shelby-county-commission-093128537.html))\n\n- *\"I'm running for this office because I'm not satisfied with our current direction.\"* ([Commercial Appeal via AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidates-shelby-county-commission-093128537.html))\n- *\"I have been a leader in the Army Reserve, retiring at the rank of Major. Priority was always accomplishing the mission assigned.\"* ([same](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidates-shelby-county-commission-093128537.html))\n- *\"Most voters I have interacted with are concerned with public safety, blight, and taxes.\"* Notes he would support a tax increase \"only in dire circumstances.\" ([same](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidates-shelby-county-commission-093128537.html))\n\n---\n\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18. This is a different person from NFL executive Rickey Dixon; and distinct from fellow 2026 Shelby candidate Ricky J. Pollard. Education, family, and specific MPD/Army Reserve tenure dates were not located in public sources.*\n\n## Career\n- **Retired Memphis Police Department sergeant.** ([Daily Memphian, 2023](https://dailymemphian.com/article/38369/memphis-city-council-district-3))\n- **Retired U.S. Army Reserve officer, rank of Major.** ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ricky_Dixon), [Commercial Appeal via AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidates-shelby-county-commission-093128537.html))\n\n## Office history\n- **2014**: Democratic primary, Tennessee State Senate District 29. Received ~28% of the vote; Lee Harris won. ([WREG, Aug 2014](https://wreg.com/2014/08/07/ford-name-cant-save-ophelia/))\n- **2018**: Democratic primary, Tennessee House of Representatives District 85 \u2014 lost to Jesse Chism. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ricky_Dixon))\n- **2023**: Memphis City Council District 3 (general election) \u2014 finished behind winners Pearl Walker and James Kirkwood. ([Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/38369/memphis-city-council-district-3))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=DIXON&id=18835&f=198157&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n\n*Source: [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm). Scraped 2026-04-25.*\n","firstname":"Ricky","lastname":"Dixon","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"spYSX28x4V"},"token":"ricky_dixon"},{"candidatename":"Pearl Eva Walker","chatgptsummary":"Based on the information provided, Pearl Eva Walker is a candidate for the elected position of Memphis City Council District 3. She is the founder of the I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood & Business Association and has attended the University of Memphis. There is no further information available regarding her education or work history.","notes":"https://www.votepearlwalker.com/\nhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063912996193","party":"","person":{"biography":"Pearl Eva Walker is a native Memphian and graduated from Fairley High School. She serves as the Vice President of the Fairley High School Alumni Association. She is a mother, advocate, leader, and servant. She is a member of Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Earle J. Fisher, PhD, where she serves on Team Informed. As a Co-host of \u201c901 Voices & Votes\u201d podcast and founder of the facebook group \u201cMRYE \u2013 Memphis Raise Your Expectations,\u201d she uses her platform to vocalize the\nneeds of our community while creating solutions to overcome challenges in our city. Walker is the Founder and Executive Director of the \u201cI Love Whitehaven Neighborhood and Business Association\u201d whose mission is to support neighborhoods by supporting small businesses. She holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Memphis in African American Studies with a concentration in Race Relations and Interracial Communication. Pearl is also a trained Trauma Mitigation Facilitator with Inward Journey, Inc. supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and helps them identify what that looks like. Walker is also a charter member of Memphis Black Healers Collaborative. Bridging the wellness gap for Black and Brown communities in Memphis. Her legislative experience includes serving on the state Cosmetology Board for six years. Pearl has received leadership training from organizations such as Leadership Memphis, EMERGE Tennessee, and LOC \u2013 Leaders of Color. Walker is also a member of the National Women\u2019s Political Caucus, Mid-South Kwanzaa (Board Member) Democratic Women of Shelby County, and Shelby County Democratic Party Grassroots Commitee. She is an environmental and energy justice advocate and serves as the Environmental & Climate Justice Chair of the Memphis NAACP. Pearl\u2019s knowledge in this area gives her a specialized background that will be helpful to the council to pursue opportunities available from the Inflation Reduction Act.\n\n","firstname":"Pearl","lastname":"Walker","middlename":"Eva","suffix":null,"token":"RPhI6YrEvZ"},"token":"pearl_eva_walker"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"3","districtgroup":"memphis_city_council","districtgroupname":"Memphis City Council","districtname":"District 3","job_type":"city_council","o.office":"city_council_district_3","office":"city_council_district_3","officedescription":"A city council member (alderman in some towns) serves on the municipality's legislative body, approving the city budget, setting the tax rate, and passing ordinances and resolutions. Members represent a district or the city at large.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on Memphis-specific matters \u2014 budget, ordinances, MPD oversight, land-use, code enforcement, infrastructure \u2014 within the Memphis Charter and Tennessee municipal law.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member Council approves the annual city budget and sets the city property-tax rate.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on ordinances and resolutions; committee work that precedes full-council action.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 90,000 residents \u2014 case-work, neighborhood issues, council-district services.\n- Memphis-specific issue depth: MLGW, MATA, EDGE incentives, blight, and the city's relationship with Shelby County government.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Memphis City Council District 3","partisan":0,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"Memphis City Council District 3"}