Memphis lawmaker Brent Taylor sponsors a bill to keep naturalized and dual citizens out of party primaries. 

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn gets an almost-endorsement from President Donald Trump in her run for governor. Jerri Green talks about ICE and ice. And some campaign finance reports get filed early.

Races on the May and August ballots continue to take shape ahead of filing deadlines in February and March.

Already facing Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Steve Cohen faces a new challenger; one who was active during the George Floyd protests in Memphis years ago. 

Rachel Davis moved to Collierville because keeping her kids in the district was important. Now she’s seeking election to the suburb’s Board of Education.

“It’s time, and I’m very happy with my decision. I have no regrets,” Chism said.

Six of the 13 incumbent state House members representing Shelby County in Nashville checked out petitions on Friday’s opening day. Meanwhile, several judicial positions on the August ballot as special elections are also filling up.

Friday is the first day to check out and file qualifying petitions to get on the Aug. 6 ballot featuring state and federal primaries.

The local Republican Party’s executive committee meets later this month to elect a new chair.

Former Memphis Police Association president Mike Williams picks a race. Also, a nonendorsement by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a new city policy director and a review of the Election Commission’s revamped website.

Take a look at the latest list of who has a petition in circulation and who has gotten the 25 signatures required to get on the May 5, 2026, county primary ballot.

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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Who’s running in the 2026 Memphis school board election?

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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Feagins brings in new attorney in fight over MSCS ouster

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.