A Memphis Democrat is making history and making a bold case for change. Trans Lena Chipman, a tech consultant and LGBTQ+ advocate, is running for the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, representing District 13 in East Memphis. If elected, Chipman could become the first out transgender person to hold public office in western Tennessee and only the second statewide, following Olivia Hill’s 2023 win.
Chipman says her campaign centers on community well-being and challenging harmful policies. Chipman said, “I’m not running to be more of the same. I’m not running to be a centrist Democrat who doesn’t make any changes…I want to solve the big problems. I want to create big impact.” A longtime Shelby County resident, Chipman brings decades of experience in tech and leadership, including work as a senior executive at a Fortune 500 company.
Chipman believes this experience gives her “a lot of background in: How do you negotiate complex systems? How do you solve problems when you have multiple competing stakeholders that all want different things?” Her platform includes expanding public transit, strengthening the social safety net, and increasing access to jobs and education. Chipman also emphasizes LGBTQ+ protections, including incentives for inclusive housing design. Shelby County’s primary election is set for May 5.
