Godwin, Joy challenging Shaw for Democratic nod in District 80

Johnny Shaw has been the State Representative for District 80 since it was created 23 years ago.

The district has changed a few times geographically in those 23 years, and it’s returned to its original state of including a portion of Haywood County including the towns of Brownsville and Stanton along with nearly all of Hardeman County and about a third of Madison County.

Things happening in Stanton is a big reason Shaw wanted to run for another two years to serve.

“There are a number of things in the works that I’ve been a part of and helped lay the foundation to that I want to see through to the end,” Shaw said.

A foundational piece of that is the arrival of Ford Motors and SK Innovations to Blue Oval City on the Memphis Regional Megasite in Stanton.

“Then once you get Ford in, there will be so many other pieces of the puzzle coming in after that related to Ford,” Shaw said.

Shaw has been challenged in nearly every bid for re-election over the last couple decades, but this campaign season is a first in which Shaw is challenged in the Democratic Primary with a Republican challenger waiting in the general election.

Former Bolivar City Councilman Jonathan Joy and current Madison County Commissioner Shelia Godwin are the challengers in the primary.

“Mr. Shaw has done a good job representing District 80, but I think it’s time for new blood with fresh ideas to come into Nashville and represent District 80,” Joy said. “If I’m elected, I plan to be active in making connections throughout the State House and working to represent all three counties in the district.

“Each of us have our needs, and I think more can be done at the state level for the people of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison counties.”

Godwin, who plans to continue serving as a Madison County Commissioner if elected to the State House, said there needs to be a Democrat representing District 80.

“Mr. Shaw may be in the Democratic Party and listed as a Democrat, but he hasn’t been voting like a Democrat,” Godwin said. “And that’s why I’m running, to make sure that a Democrat is in Nashville looking out for our district’s needs and best interests.”

Both Joy and Godwin said they’ll use their experience of representing constituents at the local level to represent the people of District 80 in the State House in Nashville.

“I won’t agree often with some people in the State House, and I don’t think I’ll agree with anyone on everything,” Joy said. “But if we can find common ground and work to a reasonable compromise on most issues, then I can try to work with you on those issues that we know we won’t agree on.”

Godwin also plans to address another concern she has with Shaw.

“I don’t know how often he’s present with the people in Bolivar or Brownsville, but I don’t see him here in Jackson and Madison County much at all,” Godwin said. “Our representative needs to be visible here in the area and available to talk with the voters and know their concerns.”

Shaw said he hopes his record speaks for itself in getting people to vote for him.

“I enjoy representing the good people of District 80 in Nashville,” Shaw said. “And I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved during my time in office.

“I’ve never been more excited about our area’s potential than I am right now, and I look forward to building on what’s about to happen.”

Early voting continues Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 301 North Parkway and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays until July 27. Election Day is Aug. 1.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news