Strong to mount challenge to U.S. Rep. Cohen

Corey Strong, who presided over strong gains as chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party last year, is mounting a challenge to U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.

Strong told  The Daily Memphian he wants to be a “true ambassador for what Memphis is.”

Cohen, who is white, has represented the majority black district since 2006. He has announced plans to run again in 2020 and 2022.

Strong, who is African American, said he wants to focus on issues affecting Shelby County rather than national political issues.

“I certainly will not besmirch his record and votes for the most part. And I think he’s been good on constituent services and he’s gotten a lot of money and been to a lot of different events and done a lot right by citizens,” he said of Cohen. “But ultimately I think our congressman can do a lot more to re-envision our economy and be a true ambassador for what Memphis is.”