Jesse Kirk Jeff
float:right; border:1px solid #FFB81F; background-color: white; width: 250px; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom:0px;
} .infobox p { margin-bottom: 0; } .widget-row { display: inline-block; width: 100%; margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; } .widget-row.heading { font-size: 1.2em; } .widget-row.value-only { text-align: center; background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.value-only.white { background-color: #f9f9f9; } .widget-row.value-only.black { background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; } .widget-row.Democratic { background-color: #003388; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Republican { background-color: red; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Libertarian { background-color: #f9d334; color: black; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Green { background-color: green; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-key { width: 43%; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; } .widget-value { width: 57%; float: right; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; word-wrap: break-word; } .widget-img { width: 150px; display: block; margin: auto; } .clearfix { clear: both; }
Jesse Kirk Jeff ran for election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board to represent District 3 in Tennessee. He lost in the general election on August 1, 2024.
Biography
Jesse Kirk Jeff was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He served in the United States Marine Corps from April 1978 to April 1984. Jeff received a bachelor's degree from Le-Moyne Owen College in 1998 and a master's degree from Christian Brothers University in 2005. His professional experience includes working as an educator.
Elections
2024
See also: Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 3
Incumbent Stephanie Love defeated Angela Rogers, Jesse Kirk Jeff, and Ozell Pace Jr. in the general election for Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 3 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Stephanie Love (Nonpartisan) | 60.6 | 2,875 |
 | Angela Rogers (Nonpartisan) | 24.5 | 1,160 | |
 | Jesse Kirk Jeff (Nonpartisan) | 11.2 | 531 | |
 | Ozell Pace Jr. (Nonpartisan)  | 3.8 | 178 | |
| Total votes: 4,744 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
.ballot-measure-endorsements p {
display: inline;
}
.ballot-measure-endorsements td {
width: 35% !important;
}
.endorsements-header {
margin-top: 10px !important;
margin-bottom: 5px !important;
}
.ballot-measure-endorsements ul {
margin-top: 0 !important;
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
.split-cols-bm {
columns: 2;
-webkit-columns: 2;
-moz-columns: 2;
}
@media screen and (max-width: 792px) {
.split-cols-bm {
columns: 1;
-webkit-columns: 1;
-moz-columns: 1;
}
}
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kirk Jeff in this election.
2020
See also: Shelby County Schools, Tennessee, elections (2020)
General election
General election for Shelby County Schools school board, District 3
Incumbent Stephanie Love defeated Jesse Kirk Jeff and Aaron Youngblood in the general election for Shelby County Schools school board, District 3 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stephanie Love (Nonpartisan) | 65.2 | 4,964 |
| Jesse Kirk Jeff (Nonpartisan) | 22.8 | 1,738 | |
| Aaron Youngblood (Nonpartisan) | 11.7 | 889 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 24 | ||
| Total votes: 7,615 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
Incumbent Barbara Cooper won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Barbara Cooper (D) | 100.0 | 13,865 |
| Total votes: 13,865 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Amber Huett-Garcia and Jesse Kirk Jeff in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 2, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper | 78.0 | 5,149 |
| Amber Huett-Garcia | 18.1 | 1,196 | |
| Jesse Kirk Jeff | 3.9 | 260 | |
| Total votes: 6,605 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jesse Kirk Jeff did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Jesse Kirk Jeff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kirk Jeff's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am an educator who has worked for Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools for over two decades. I hold a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Christian Brothers University, and a Bachelors from Le-Moyne Owen College. I was born here in Memphis and I am a product of Memphis City Schools and East Saint Louis schools. Two of my adult children are graduates of Memphis public schools.
- Education Matters
- Experienced Educator
- Before they care what you know, they have to know that you care.
Curriculum and Instruction
Professional Development
Safety
I look up to Nelson Mandela. I would like to follow Mandela's example because eventhough he was bombarded with hate he didnt allow hate to define or consume his life.
I think that an elected official should be honest, courageous, and persistent.
I believe that I possess the qualities of integrity, and persistence. Integrity to me means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. I dont know anybody that is so important that I have to lie to them. Persistence means to never give up. I dont grow weary in doing whats right.
The first historical event was the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King. I was eight going on nine years old.
My first job was a grocery delivery boy. I held it for two years.
Get up by James Brown
The primary job of a school board is to ensure successful, and equitable outcomes for students, parents, and staff.
As an educator the first thing I did was to reach out to the parents. I decided that if I have the parents on my side half the battle would be won. I am a firm believer that the parental center should be expanded. When I am elected I will be a regular participant in the PTO's in my district.
The advent of Covid-19 has forced school districts to re-evaluate how teaching and learning is delivered and received. Having said that, a combination of virtual, and site based education must be increased. I would prepare the district for this by identifying funds that can be aimed at this goal. Sources like current funds, grants, and good corporate citizens may be souces of funding.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jesse Kirk Jeff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kirk Jeff's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Healthcare Education Crime Reduction
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am personally passionate about education. I know that education is the great equalizer. Education breaks chains of generational poverty.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my father and mother. They instilled in me a great work ethic. Hard work and determination is essential to becoming successful in our American society.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
One of my favorite films is Cinderella Man with Russel Crow. This film epitomized the tenacity and determination of the human spirit.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important characteristics of an elected official are honesty, transparency, and great constituent service.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe that Leadership is Service. I think that my background will help me to be a successful office holder. At eighteen i served as a student leader. At nineteen I served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. i served in the United States Army, and a Deputy Sheriff. For the past twenty years I have served as an educator.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility for someone serving in elected office should be integrity, honesty, and tenacity.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave my state legislature better than I found it. I would hope my legacy would be steeped in education reform and crime reduction.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King was the first historical event that I recall. I was nine years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was a grocery delivery boy, I was twelve years old. I kept the job for two years.
What happened on your most awkward date?
On my most awkward day I had to except that fact that my baby girl was grown. It was difficult because I had to see her in a different lens.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is Dr. Martin Luther King. I like this day because it is a day of reflection and service.
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite book is the Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. I like this book because i actually dreamed of being the President of the United States.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
If i could be any fictional character I would like to be James Bond because he loved his country.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My pool table is my favorite thing in my house.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Don't worry be happy!
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Staying out of my grown kids business has been a struggle in my life.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
I think that when it comes to the senate and the house, the senate has a better pathway for bi-partisanship.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think in most situations non experienced legislators do a better job because they don"t have a lot of preconceived notions.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
I think that health care is the most challenging issue facing my state.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
I think that the most ideal relationship between the governor and the legislature would be mutual respect but not total capitulation.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
I do think it is beneficial to build relationships with legislators from both parties. No man is an island unto himself from a famous quote. In order to build capacity and consensus it is absolutely vital.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I think that redistricting should be done on a fair and equitable manner so that gerrymandering wont occur.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
As an educator I would love to be on the education committee.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I think Representative Lois Deberry was and excellent legislator.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No I don't intend to run for governor.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I was at a forum last week and the constituents talked about how they only hear from their elected officials during the election season. When I am elected I plan on being highly visible all the time
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
.contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
.external_links_table { width: auto !important; }
@media (max-width:600px) {
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;}
.contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
}
|
Candidate Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
