Most of those checking out qualifying petitions Monday, Dec. 22, are looking to run in the May 5 Shelby County Democratic primaries. There are already some interesting trends.

The first day Monday, Dec. 22, of the period to get on the May 5 Shelby County primary ballot opened to a crowd of contenders Downtown and those who are already working on their campaigns.

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Because of term limits, Shelby County will see a new mayor, new sheriff and new county clerk — positions currently held by Lee Harris, Floyd Bonner Jr. and Wanda Halbert, respectively — elected in 2026. 

Even though we haven’t quite reached 2026 yet, candidates for elections in the Northeast Shelby County suburbs already are making their intentions known with many of the incumbents running again.

Feagins kicked off her bid in the May 5 Democratic mayoral primary before a group of 100 people on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in Southwind.

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Three candidates have announced their intentions for the Bartlett City Schools board positions in next year’s municipal elections.

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies and General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer clashed over whether her private security guard could carry a gun inside the D’Army Bailey courthouse.

There were some sparks and plenty of claims disputed Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the forum at LeMoyne-Owen College. The same five contenders who showed up last month for a Germantown forum took the stage in Soulsville.

“I think the opportunity is for anyone to get in — anyone who has a vision for the county in any regard,” Feagins told The Daily Memphian. 

Memphis-area school board elections will be partisan next year.

MSCS campuses need more than $1 billion in the next decade. A committee suggested funding and other ideas on how to approach closing, repurposing or consolidating buildings.

Five of the six declared Democratic candidates for Shelby County mayor spoke at the forum held by the Germantown Democratic Party at the Great Hall Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.

One alderman will be unable to seek reelection at the end of his term.

The Shelby County Commission voted to override Mayor Lee Harris’ veto of their original decision to make the school board change, meaning five MSCS school board members will see their terms cut short. 

Who got to speak at Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in East Memphis and who didn’t was still a lively topic two days after the event.

Also in the political roundup, Harris endorses Green in the race for Governor as Blackburn calls out Green by name. And a close encounter at “No Kings” between Cohen and Pearson.

But all suburbs have a city administrator or manager who oversees day-to-day operations — and makes more money than their mayoral counterparts.

Michele Dial plans to pursue a seat on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners next year, a seat held by Mick Wright, who is term-limited.

Palazzolo seriously considered a bid for county mayor in the May 2026 Republican mayoral primary.

Indivisible DeSoto MS, founded three months ago, has become a visible presence on the Hernando Square, aiming to rebuild democratic participation and more.

After serving as Lakeland commissioner, Wesley Wright is preparing for a run as county commissioner representing District 3.

A special election after a redrawing of districts has set the ballot for the November general election in North Mississippi.

Five of seven County Commissioners present for a Wednesday test vote supported a move that ultimately would cut in half the terms of five school board members elected in 2024. 

Democrats grabbing a majority of seats on the Horn Lake Board of Mayor and Aldermen was not a huge surprise to some, but whether or not it is a trend remains to be seen.

In a social media post, Kuhn described the county as being “in crisis” and touted her expertise in county government.