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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The first elected black Memphis mayor has announced his resignation halfway into his record fifth term to concentrate on a run for Congress.
Sixty-nine-year-old Willie W. Herenton plans to take on Rep. Steve Cohen in the August 2010 Democratic primary for the 9th District seat. Cohen was the city's first white member of Congress in more than three decades when he was elected in 2006.
Although he could have continued to serve out his four-year term while campaigning, Herenton said Thursday he felt that he had to move on after 18 years in charge of the state's largest city. His resignation will be effective July 11.
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