Shelby County’s Board of Commissioners is up to its full complement after Matthew Szalaj was appointed to the open District 9 seat with a 9-3 vote to close out the meeting Monday, March 9.
The 24-year-old special assistant to Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Szalaj is the youngest person to serve on the commission. He will finish the term of former commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who resigned after pleading guilty to federal money laundering charges.
“I really appreciate all of your consideration and support. I am very excited to work alongside you all and learn from you all,” said Szalaj.
The City of Memphis Office of Intergovernmental Affairs employee was appointed by Young when he took office in 2024. Szalaj previously worked as a real estate affiliate broker with Crye-Leike. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis.
During the interview process, he informed commissioners his priority during the temporary “assignment” is to “pass a county budget.”
Szalaj is one of 10 candidates who applied for the short-term spot. He was the second name drawn out of the hat, after being nominated by District 2 Commissioner David Bradford. He emerged in the third round of the appointment process after capturing eight votes.
Commission rules require an interim candidate to receive a majority of votes. If seven votes aren’t netted, the nomination process is reopened. Following the vote, commissioners agreed to suspend the rules and appoint Szalaj by acclamation.
The other contender was Rasheedah Jones, who tallied three votes in the final round. A real estate agent, Jones is also a board member of the Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency. She was nominated by Commissioner Charlie Caswell.
Voting in favor of Szalaj were Amber Mills, Mick Wright, Brandon Morrison, Mickell Lowery, Miska Clay Bibbs, Michael Whaley, Chairwoman Shante Avant and Bradford. Britney Thornton initially passed on the third-round vote but added to the total after Whaley cast the deciding vote. Jones received votes from Henri Brooks, Erika Sugarmon and Caswell.
“I would like to thank all of the candidates that have offered themselves for public service. Please note that we understand this is not a small feat for you to take the initiative to support the appointment of an interim position for the county commission seat for District 9,” said Avant.
Szalaj and Jones moved on to the final round after outpacing former Memphis City Council member Patrice Robinson in the second round. Szalaj gathered five votes to Jones’ four. Robinson, who was nominated to the Tennessee Valley Authority board in 2023 but was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate, fell short with three votes. She was nominated by Morrison.
Commission rules limit the third round to the two top vote-getters.
The trio were among the seven candidates nominated by commissioners before first-round voting began. The other nominees were Dr. Sharon Webb, former commissioner James Harvey, Cordova Middle School assistant principal Andreanna Williams and activist KeShaun Pearson.
In a surprise move, Lowery opted to vote for Szalaj despite nominating Pearson for the position. The switch ultimately cost Pearson a trip to the second round. A few votes later, Whaley cast the only vote for Pearson.
Commissioners had an opportunity to interview the hopefuls during the previous committee meeting Wednesday, March 4. Apparently, they left the sit-downs impressed with the list to choose from. Prior to the vote, Avant requested a suspension of the rules if a candidate didn’t emerge with a clear majority in the final round. It was approved without objection.
“We appreciate your time and your effort and hope that you continue to work with Mr. Szalaj on behalf of District 9 and the great work that can be done,” said Avant.
Meanwhile, the candidates who submitted applications but failed to be nominated were Barnell Conley, Roderick Blunt and Jonathan Lewis. The latter pair also are candidates in the District 9 primary.
Blunt is a former candidate for Tennessee House District 86 who lost a 2023 special election to Rep. Justin Pearson, and Lewis is an appraiser with the Shelby County Assessor’s Office. Nevertheless, their ambition may have weighed against them in the interim race.
During the run-up, several commissioners suggested they would not support applicants who also appear on the 2026 ballot. The remaining primary field includes Jonathan Smith, Karen Streeter, Kharl-Ray Massey, Ricky Dixon and Sam Echols.
Szalaj’s term will expire Sept. 1.
In addition to giving up his seat on the commission, Ford is banned from running for office in the future. It was his second term. The commission has been operating with 12 members since his resignation. Ford previously served as a member of the Memphis City Council.
