Each cell paraphrases what the candidate says they will do, from their own campaign materials, questionnaires, or interviews. Rows are shared issue categories; only categories at least one candidate addressed are shown.
Issue
Brent Taylor Republican
David Weatherspoon Democratic
Economy & jobs
Grow the local economy by getting crime under control and reducing red tape, including barring local governments from adding labor rules to government projects.[1][2]
No stated position
Cost of living & housing
No stated position
Make child care more affordable and accessible and address rising housing, grocery, and gas costs.[3]
Education
Increase oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, including a forensic audit, and direct added funding to high-achieving districts in East Shelby County.[2]
Increase investment in teachers and public schools, expand pre-K and early childhood care, oppose a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and end the private school voucher program.[3]
Health care
No stated position
Ensure everyone has ready access to health care, lower costs, expand Medicaid, and invest in preventive care, elder care, and mental health services.[3]
Public safety & justice
Make fighting crime the top priority: stricter bail standards that put community safety first, blended sentencing for serious juvenile offenders, more State Troopers in Shelby County, and a law barring local governments from banning routine traffic stops.[1][2]
Fund more state prosecutors and public defenders, a dedicated crime lab for Memphis and Shelby County, mental health training for police, and grants for violence intervention programs.[3]
Infrastructure & energy
Secure state investment in Shelby County roads and bridges, including a new I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River, and dedicate new-tire sales tax revenue to roads and bridges.[2]
No stated position
Firearms
No stated position
Pass an extreme risk law covering domestic abusers and people in a mental health crisis, and require background checks for private and gun show sales.[3]
State Senator for District 31 since his election in 2022.[4][5]
Also the Republican nominee for U.S. House District 9 in the November 3, 2026 election.[5][6]
Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and member of the Judiciary and Transportation committees.[4]
Elected to the Memphis City Council in 1995 at age 27; later served three years on the Shelby County Election Commission.[4]
Funeral director with a degree in mortuary science; he and his wife bought their first funeral home in 2004 and built a family-owned funeral business.[4][6]
Why they're running
He says he promised in 2022 to make fighting crime his top priority and has kept his word, and that getting crime under control is key to growing Memphis' economy. He says he is also working to grow the economy, improve schools, and upgrade infrastructure, and asks for support to continue working to "Make Memphis Matter."[1][2]
Platform
Economy & jobs
Grow the local economy by getting crime under control and reducing red tape, including barring local governments from adding labor rules to government projects.[1][2]
Education
Increase oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, including a forensic audit, and direct added funding to high-achieving districts in East Shelby County.[2]
Public safety & justice
Make fighting crime the top priority: stricter bail standards that put community safety first, blended sentencing for serious juvenile offenders, more State Troopers in Shelby County, and a law barring local governments from banning routine traffic stops.[1][2]
Infrastructure & energy
Secure state investment in Shelby County roads and bridges, including a new I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River, and dedicate new-tire sales tax revenue to roads and bridges.[2]
Arguments
Arguments for
He kept his promise to make crime his top priority, sponsoring bail and juvenile sentencing laws, helping bring more State Troopers to Shelby County, and pressing for accountability from judges and prosecutors.[1][2]
He has secured more than $800 million in infrastructure investment for Shelby County, including $250 million for a new Mississippi River bridge.[2]
Arguments against
A juvenile blended-sentencing law he sponsored was rushed through at the end of session without returning to committee, and critics say it has gaps that make it hard to apply and may be unconstitutional.[7]
Ordained Baptist minister and chaplain; has worked as a college chaplain at Franklin College in Indiana and as a pediatric chaplain in Tennessee, and with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.[8][9]
Bachelor's degree from Belmont University (1998) in religion and education; Master of Divinity (2003) and Doctor of Ministry from Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology.[5][8][9]
Grew up on a farm in Hickman County, Tennessee.[10]
Ran in the 2018 Democratic primary for Senate District 31.[9]
Why they're running
He says he is running to bring steadiness, compassion, and courage to the statehouse and to return neighborliness to it, and that leadership should listen first and bring people together. He says it is important to have leaders who fully embrace and love the community.[8][10]
Platform
Cost of living & housing
Make child care more affordable and accessible and address rising housing, grocery, and gas costs.[3]
Education
Increase investment in teachers and public schools, expand pre-K and early childhood care, oppose a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and end the private school voucher program.[3]
Health care
Ensure everyone has ready access to health care, lower costs, expand Medicaid, and invest in preventive care, elder care, and mental health services.[3]
Public safety & justice
Fund more state prosecutors and public defenders, a dedicated crime lab for Memphis and Shelby County, mental health training for police, and grants for violence intervention programs.[3]
Firearms
Pass an extreme risk law covering domestic abusers and people in a mental health crisis, and require background checks for private and gun show sales.[3]
Arguments
Arguments for
As a chaplain, husband, and father who believes public service begins with care for others, he would bring listening, honesty, and a focus on the common good to the statehouse.[8]
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Sources (10)
Listed in numeric order. Numbers match the markers in the text above.