Incumbent Jim Strickland was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third term in office.

Young prevailed with a low plurality of the vote against numerous other candidates, including Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, former mayor Willie Herenton, and former Shelby County commission chair Van Turner.

However, the Memphis City Council voted to put an ordinance on the ballot that, if passed, would extend the limit to three terms.

Incumbent mayor Jim Strickland expressed interest in running for a third term if Memphis voters approved the ordinance.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected it, keeping the two-term limit in place and barring Strickland from seeking re-election.