A coalition of suburban mayors in Shelby County has endorsed U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for Tennessee governor, citing her leadership on public safety and the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
The Shelby County Suburban Mayors Council – including Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo, Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman, Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser, Bartlett Mayor David Parsons, Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman, and Millington Mayor Larry Dagen – pointed to declining crime rates and increased community confidence as key reasons for their support of Blackburn.
Keeping Tennesseans safe is my top priority, and the progress we've made in Memphis shows what’s possible when local, state, and federal leaders work together to strengthen our communities.
I’m honored to have the endorsement of the mayors of Millington, Collierville, Lakeland,… pic.twitter.com/jSxCaMcPwt
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) March 30, 2026
“When you see crime going down and confidence going up, that’s not by accident,” Palazzolo said. “That’s Marsha Blackburn getting it done and that’s what she’ll continue to do as governor.”
Roman emphasized Blackburn’s collaboration with local leaders, calling her “a true partner” in efforts to protect communities, while Fraser highlighted her responsiveness to residents’ concerns.
Parsons added that Blackburn understands the importance of local governance, and Wissman praised her leadership style. Dagen noted her longstanding work with Shelby County communities at the federal level.
The endorsement comes as Memphis was visited last week by President Donald Trump, who participated in a public safety roundtable alongside Governor Bill Lee, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
During the event, held at the Tennessee Air National Guard Armory, Trump praised the Memphis Safe Task Force as a model for reducing violent crime nationwide.
According to figures released by the White House, the task force has contributed to a 43 percent drop in overall crime since its launch last September
Blackburn, who joined Trump during the visit, described the initiative as a turning point for the city.
“Before the Memphis Safe Task Force, Memphians could not walk outside without fear,” Blackburn said in a statement. “Under President Trump, those days are in the rearview mirror.”
She added that her work with federal, state, and local officials helped secure resources that contributed to the turnaround, and pledged to expand similar efforts statewide if elected governor.
“Keeping Tennesseans safe is my top priority,” Blackburn said. “The success we are seeing in Memphis proves that when we back law enforcement, hold criminals accountable, and make all facets of government work together, we are able to create real change.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Sen. Marsha Blackburn” by Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
