Candidates

With the help of New Path, I won the race for Memphis City School Board with over 50% of the votes, avoiding an anticipated run-off election between myself and the incumbent to the District. We defeated two opponents, including the incumbent! I am proud of our clean, well run campaign, and I am grateful to the New Path Team for providing the necessary talent and expertise to help me win. From our initial meeting, I was impressed with this group of young professionals, and their commitment to positive change for our community. They have a refreshing and hopeful outlook for the future of Memphis and they seek out others who share their vision. Their high ideals and passion for excellence inspires the same from others. I am privileged to have worked with the New Path Team, and I am honored to now call them my friends.

Since I’ve been on the Memphis City School Board, I’ve often mentioned to those that I’ve encountered that attitudes are contagious. I have also come to the conclusion that not all peer pressure is bad. Not that I was pressured to seek the appointment on the Memphis City School Board; I was inspired by the tireless effort and commitment of my peers. Being a part of New Path has inspired me to do my part to make Memphis better and I can say, without question, that if not for the kindred spirits and minds all of you (members of New Path) possess, I wouldn’t have taken the leap of faith needed first to seek the appointment and be fortunate enough to win the seat outright and unopposed. Another phrase I’ve picked up along the way is “I can’t, we can” and I feel that New Path embodies that philosophy. If Memphis is to become a better place to live, I surely can’t do it alone, but I strongly feel that the continued efforts of New Path will help set a standard and a level of purpose that will encourage others to do their part. Let’s keep spreading our attitudes.

Mere words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all of New Path’s encouragement, support and help during my campaign for Memphis City School Board Commissioner. I am appreciative of everything you did to help bring this to a positive conclusion. I know that New Path was an integral part of the success encountered. I want to encourage the organization and it’s members to continue your endeavors to help those of us who want to make a positive change.
Together we can do it!
I will make you proud of all of your hard work and efforts contributed to my campaign. I will also call upon you for assistance. I love you all and I will continue to keep you in my prayers that each of you will fulfill your purpose and destiny in the Lord Jesus Christ!

You could put in a sewing thimble what I knew about running a campaign, yet through the efforts and support of New Path I was provided with the tools to run a phenomenal campaign. I learned so much from the various members of the organization. Their knowledge level of campaign etiquette, networking, and the issues was impressive and unparalleled. New Path gave me the strength to cope with the rigors of the campaign and the hope that I could make a difference. They were the antithesis of everything that you hear about organizations that run political races. They were supportive, knowledgeable and encouraging with a strong sense of integrity. New Path is a bright light of hope for politics. It gives individuals like me, who are not professional politicians but concerned citizens, an opportunity to venture into the political arena and make a difference. It provides education to citizens, again like me, who want to know more and help bring about positive change. At the risk of sounding corny to many, I can truly say that New Path was a gift from God for me and my campaign.

When I was first contacted by New Path, I really didn’t know what to expect. My only knowledge of New Path was what I had heard about Tomeka Hart’s campaign. Here I was, a Republican running in East Memphis, being contacted by New Path for a possible endorsement. I decided to meet with this group to see what they had to say, but I assure you , I was skeptical. A funny thing happened in that meeting. I found out that I had more in common with New Path that I could have ever imagined, particularly our common desire to make Memphis and Shelby County a better place to live. Who knew that one meeting could change so many things….I had been campaigning for the County Commission for over 10 months, and my volunteers and I were beginning to run out of steam. We were running a campaign against a well financed opponent, and we were growing frustrated by the day. You could not put a price tag on the energy, finances, and political knowledge that New Path interjected into my campaign. Although I did not get more votes than my opponent, there is no doubt that New Path turned my campaign into a resounding success. I am so blessed to be associated with this group of outstanding young professionals that just want what is best for our community. In the process, I have not only gained political allies, but friends for life.

New Path was born at a time that was a true blessing for me. I made the decision to run for the Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners in early 2004. At the same time, Darrell Cobbins, Cardell Orrin and Eric Robertson were forming New Path. I communicated my decision to run for office to someone who knew of the plans for New Path. That person in turn told Cobbins my plans. Cobbins called me and set up a meeting with him, Orrin and Robertson, and the Hart for Education Campaign began! I was absolutely amazed at the awesome knowledge of these gentlemen. Each brought a specialized skill set that combined to create a very powerful and well-run political machine! I had no idea of all I would need to do or to know to run an effective campaign, and I am certain that I owe all of my success to the resources provided by New Path. I will be forever grateful to New Path--it is an organization that is truly needed in this community and whose time has come!