Former Shelby County Sheriff’s Assistant Chief Reginald Hubbard has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Shelby County Sheriff’s race saying the community is “starved for a change.”
Hubbard made the announcement Wednesday in front of the Shelby County Jail, located at 201 Poplar Ave. He spent the majority of his 36-year career in the Shelby County Jail Division before retiring in 2024.
“I worked one-third of my career in this building behind me,” Hubbard said. “I worked with all the officers here, changing policies, improving operations and helping the area grow.”
Hubbard’s campaign priorities include transparency, accountability and improving relations between the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the community.
“We have a plan. That plan is to address public safety,” he said. “We will emphasize collaboration between law enforcement and the community.”
One of the biggest issues facing the sheriff’s office — and possibly the county — is the deteriorating condition of the Shelby County Jail. Built in 1980, the facility has long been in need of repairs, including new jail doors, plumbing, HVAC systems and safety updates. Inmates continue to die at an alarming rate due to overcrowding, and critics have called for a new jail. Prominent voices advocating for a new facility include Sheriff Floyd Bonner and some members of the Shelby County Commission.
“I’ve been with the department long enough to understand the challenges it faces. Today, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is in crisis. These are not my words, but the words of the department itself,” Hubbard said.
Recently, state lawmakers rejected a proposed sales tax that would have funded a new jail. A recent budget proposal from Bonner pegged the cost of a new facility at more than $1 billion. In the meantime, Hubbard said he would focus on a “complete overhaul” of management within the current facility, including re-training existing staff or hiring new personnel.
“We could build a new jail tomorrow, but management has to improve,” Hubbard said. “That’s the issue — management is not where it should be.”
Another major concern is the length of time inmates spend in the facility. According to Hubbard, the average length of stay for a suspect awaiting trial is 2.5 years. Reform advocates have said some inmates have been held at the jail for over five years. Hubbard acknowledged the need for jail reform, but said the root cause lies within the court system, which is outside the SCSO’s control. He has been in contact with external agencies to explore potential solutions.
Hubbard started his career at the jail as a deputy jailer, eventually rising to lieutenant. He managed staff, developed work assignments and ensured compliance with departmental procedures and state regulations. He also served as a patrolman.
A graduate of Overton High School, Hubbard holds a master of science in criminal justice from Bethel University and a bachelor of business administration from LeMoyne-Owen College. He is married and the father of two children.
Hubbard is the fourth candidate to publicly announce a bid for sheriff, as of now, to replace Bonner, who is wrapping up his second and final term. The other candidates include SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner, Keisha Scott, who ran against Bonner in 2022, and former Memphis police officer Michael Pope. The Democratic primary election is May 5.
