Outgoing Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery emerged from a field of seven candidates during the Tuesday May 5, primary to capture the Democratic Party nomination for county mayor.
“I’m not running for the next job. I’m running for the next generation,” Lowery told supporters. “Tonight, the people of Shelby County said they’re ready for a mayor who will stick around, build relationships, and get things done. I’m honored by that trust, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Lowery focused on kitchen table issues during the campaign, like livability, universal pre-K and improved health care.
The District 8 commissioner will square off against former Tennessee State Rep. John DeBerry in a race to succeed Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who is wrapping up his final term. DeBerry, who recently served as an advisor to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
Across the aisle, the Democratic contest was much more competitive. Among a crowded field, a three-way race quickly developed between Lowery, Memphis City Council member JB Smiley and Marie Feagins, former Memphis Shelby County Schools superintendent.
Lowery snagged 32% of the vote — good for 23,833 votes — as he outpaced his competitors. Smiley placed second with 23.8%, while Feagins was in the show position with 21.28%. The latter two gathered 17,708 and 15,834, respectively.
Both Lowery and Smiley invested heavily in commercials during the campaign. However, Lowery went into the campaign with the largest warchest. Over the course of his campaign, he raked in nearly $550,000 in political donations, along with a self-loan. Lowery goes into August’s partisan matchup with a $315,000 cash on-hand.
Smiley was a close second with around $537,000 raised over the same period. Feagins raised $47,000. The erstwhile school administrator largely relied on name recognition built during her short tenure at MSCS — and in the aftermath of her firing in early 2025.
The derby included Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Hiedi Kuhn, Shelby County Tax Assessor Melvin Burgess, Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins and businessman Rusty Qualls. Kuhn was the only also-ran to crack 10% with 8,046 votes.
Another much-watched contest was the race to succeed term-limited Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. Democratic voters expressed overwhelming confidence in a nearby successor, SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner, who ran away with 59.45% of the vote. A total of 42,523 votes were cast for the career lawman.
“I am truly humbled by the trust you have placed in me. This victory belongs to every volunteer, supporter, family member, and voter who believed in our vision for safer communities, stronger relationships, and accountable leadership,” wrote Buckner on Facebook.
Buckner’s platform includes expanding diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration, along with improving conditions in the county jail at 201 Poplar.
The nearest competitor out of the five-person field was Keisha Scott, who netted 16.72% of the vote. Regional Hubbard came in third with 12.14%. Both Scott and Hubbard are currently employed by the SCSO.
So is Buckner’s opponent in August. Republican Brad Less hauled in over 60% of the GOP vote to top Marco Yzaguirre. Buckner is a 28-year veteran of the force.
The race that drew the most candidate interest in 2026 was the Democratic primary contest for Shelby County Clerk. Current Shelby County Deputy CAO La Sonya Hall surpassed the remainder of the 11-person race with 30.59% of the vote.
Shelby County Commissioner Britney Thornton came in a distant second with 18.48% of the vote. She exits the commission in August after serving only one term. General Sessions Court CAO Michael Williams fell to third with 10.45% of the vote.
Hall will face Tina Montgomery in August. The Republican ran unopposed in her primary. The winner will succeed term-limited Wanda Halbert.
A total of 89,848 ballots were cast by Shelby County voters during the primary, out of 577,527 registered voters. The 16% turnout represents a significant increase over the 11% primary showing in 2024.
For more election results, go to TSDmemphis.com.
