A bipartisan slate of candidates has emerged in the primary for Shelby County mayor after former state Rep. John DeBerry filed a petition to appear on the May 5 ballot.
A longtime Democrat, DeBerry recently switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party. In 2020, his legislative tenure ended after he lost his reelection bid, and he was subsequently appointed as an adviser to Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
Lee announced DeBerry’s departure to “pursue a new venture” in a Feb. 12 statement.
“Since my first term, John DeBerry has served as a trusted adviser and steady voice of wisdom,” Lee said. “He is a man of faith who leads with conviction and has devoted his life to serving the people of Tennessee with excellence.”
DeBerry has advised Lee on a variety of issues ranging from education and criminal justice reform to faith-based initiatives since the early days of his administration. The 75-year-old also played a key role in the formation of the controversial Memphis Safe Task Force.
Lee ordered the deployment of thousands of state and federal law enforcement officers, including National Guard troops, to Memphis in September at the behest of President Donald Trump. Proponents have touted thousands of arrests and the city’s lowest crime rate in 25 years. Opponents have accused law enforcement of overpolicing. Increased arrests have strained local resources, including adding to an already overpopulated Shelby County Jail.
“It has been the highlight of my career to serve Tennesseans as a member of Gov. Lee’s Cabinet,” DeBerry said. “The governor is not just a public servant but a man of faith, and it’s been an honor and a blessing to serve Tennessee in this way. The state is better because of his service, and I’m grateful to Gov. Lee for his trust in me to help guide our great state these past years.”
DeBerry served in the state Legislature from 1995 to 2020. A marketing executive, he also serves as a minister at Coleman Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis.
In addition to DeBerry, three other candidates have expressed interest in the job: TV arbitrator and former Shelby County General Criminal Court Judge Joe Brown, pastor of Jesus People Church Gerald Kiner and political novice David Henson. As of January, the glazier at Binswanger Glass had not collected the 25 signatures needed to qualify. Only DeBerry and Brown have filed their petitions. Brown submitted his on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The winner will face one of eight Democrats who have filed petitions. The wide field is headlined by Memphis City Council member JB Smiley and Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery. The term-limited duo currently outpaces the remaining field in fundraising. According to the latest campaign finance filings, Smiley has received $537,000 in donations and Lowery has netted $468,000. Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn rounds out the top three with $218,000 in contributions.
