Brent Taylor filed paperwork this morning to officially enter the race for State Senate District 31. He becomes the first Senate candidate to submit his qualifying petition with the Shelby County Election Commission. Taylor is running in the August 4 Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Brian Kelsey who chose not to seek another term.
While at the Election Commission filing his paperwork, Taylor collected belongings from his office. He resigned as Chairman of the Election Commission last week to become a candidate for the State Senate.
“Mid-South families trust me to help them at one of the worst times in their lives. People of East Memphis, Cordova, and Germantown put their trust in me to represent them on the City Council and County Commission,” Taylor stated. “Now, I’m asking people in East Memphis and East Shelby County to trust me as their State Senator. My focus will be on fighting violent crime, reducing inflation, helping small businesses, and supporting schools. I’ll provide the conservative leadership we need in Nashville,” remarked Taylor.
A well-known area funeral director for three decades, Taylor is a former Memphis City Councilman and Shelby County Commissioner. In 1995, he became the youngest person ever elected to the Memphis City Council at age 27. Taylor, who never voted for a tax increase, was viewed as the leading conservative voice on the Council. He chose to retire from the City Council after 12 years to focus on his business interests.
In 2004, Taylor and his wife, Kimberly, purchased their first funeral home. They bought other area funeral homes and built their business into the largest family-owned funeral operation in the Mid-South. Taylor remained involved in public service, filling a vacancy on the Shelby County Commission on an interim basis and serving as Chairman of the Election Commission. Throughout his career in the funeral business and as a public official, Taylor has been recognized as a trusted conservative leader.
Taylor supports law enforcement and will work with other conservatives to find solutions to the growing problem of violent crime. He said he would work to reduce inflation by restraining spending. Taylor opposes burdensome mandates on small businesses. He wants to empower parents to have a greater voice in their child’s education.
The Taylors have been married 27 years and are the parents of two adult children. They reside in Eads and are active members of Trinity Baptist Church.
Senate District 31 includes Collierville, Eads, Germantown, Lakeland, and parts of Arlington, Cordova, and East Memphis. Visit BrentTaylorForSenate.com for more information.