With the 2026 primary race for Shelby County mayor taking shape, sixcandidates gathered in Memphis to outline their priorities on economic development, education, transportation and criminal justice during a community forum Thursday, Feb. 26, hosted by the NAACP Memphis Branch in partnership with the Shelby County Voter Alliance.
The forum was held at Springdale Baptist Church and moderated by Deidre Malone, first vice president of the NAACP Memphis Branch and National Women’s Political Caucus president.
Participating candidates, all Democrats, included:
- Mickell Lowery, Shelby County commissioner
- JB Smiley Jr., Memphis city councilman
- Heidi Kuhn, Shelby County Criminal Court clerk
- Harold Collins, Shelby County chief administrative officer
- Melvin Burgess, Shelby County property assessor
- Rusty Qualls, businessman.
Three other candidates did not attend: former Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Marie Feagins, who is running as a Democrat; Republicans John DeBerry Jr., former Tennessee representative, and Joe Brown, former Shelby County Criminal Court judge and TV personality.
Visions for Shelby County
Asked what success for Shelby County would look like, candidates described futures shaped by their experiences in government, business and public service.
Qualls, a political newcomer, said success begins with unity across political and geographic lines. “Success for me is unity across the bridge,” he said. “It is not about me. It is not about you. It is about the people.”
Lowery framed his vision in generational terms. “I am not running for success in the next four years,” he said. “I am running for success in the next 40.”
Burgess said Shelby County needs leaders willing to challenge the status quo. “What we need is bold leadership,” he said. “We need people who are not afraid to speak up and say something because it is the right thing to do.”
Kuhn focused on rebuilding confidence in local government. “People are working hard but they do not believe government is working for them,” she said. “We have to restore hope for Shelby County.”
Collins described a county where families can build stable lives. “Shelby County should be a place where you can live, work and enjoy your time,” he said.
Smiley said success would mean expanding opportunity for younger generations. “Imagine a Shelby County where young people can go outside with hope and endless possibilities,” he said.
Economic development
Candidates were asked which industries they would prioritize to address persistent poverty and inequity.
Qualls said Shelby County should remove barriers that make it harder for entrepreneurs to start businesses. “Stop putting stipulations on the people who are trying to build small businesses,” he said.
Lowery pointed to education and workforce development as key drivers of economic growth. “Small business is the lifeblood of our county,” he said, adding that education should create a pathway from cradle to career.
The candidates also discussed the role of the Economic Development Growth Engine, commonly known as EDGE, which offers tax incentives to recruit companies to the region.
Collins said incentive agreements must include regular reviews. “After a period, you reevaluate them and look to see if they have kept their promises,” he said.
Kuhn said the county should avoid deals that leave behind empty buildings if companies depart. “We do not want another Electrolux or another ServiceMaster,” she said.
Burgess said tax abatements must ultimately return value to the community. “The question is when is that money going back into our community,” he said.
Lowery said he would measure success by whether companies create jobs for residents in underserved areas. “Are you hiring people from underserved ZIP codes?” he said.
Smiley said companies receiving incentives should demonstrate a commitment to local communities. “The question is whether they will be good corporate citizens,” he said.
Future of the county jail
Candidates also addressed one of Shelby County’s most debated infrastructure questions: whether the county should build a new jail or relocate the existing facility to another location.
Burgess said the county should move forward with building a new facility. “Yes, we need a new jail,” he said.
Lowery said he supports relocating the jail to the penal farm property and argued that the current facility does not emphasize rehabilitation.
Kuhn suggested relocating the jail to the Shelby County Correctional Center and expanding services aimed at rehabilitation. She said the facility should include programs that address the whole person.
Smiley also supported relocation but questioned the lack of progress on planning. “What are we doing there now,” he asked before adding that the jail should be moved.
Collins said he does not support relocating the jail citing financial constraints and operational challenges including staffing shortages and deferred maintenance.
Qualls said he would not move the jail.
Education and State intervention
Candidates were also asked about the possibility of state involvement in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Burgess criticized Tennessee’s Achievement School District initiative. “We gave the state schools messed up. They gave them back to us messed up,” he said.
Lowery said he opposes state intervention in local schools. “Shelby County should be managed by Shelby County,” he said.
Qualls said local officials should work more closely with school leaders. “We should take care of our own,” he said.
Smiley said local government must address school funding and maintenance needs. “It is the responsibility of the county commission to address deferred maintenance,” he said.
Kuhn said education remains central to the county’s future and suggested reimagining closed school buildings. “Perhaps creating apartments for individuals aging out of foster care or reentry programs,” she said.
Transportation and civic participation
Candidates were also asked whether they would support expanded public transit and transportation access to reduce barriers to civic participation.
Smiley said Shelby County should move toward regional transportation solutions that include surrounding municipalities.
Collins said the county previously offered financial support to the Memphis Area Transit Authority but requested representation on its board, which MATA objected too.
Kuhn said transportation challenges extend beyond Memphis city limits and suggested exploring creative solutions such as shared ride programs.
Lowery said transportation systems must help residents reach jobs and other opportunities. “Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up,” he said.
Qualls said technology could help make transportation and other services more accessible for residents.
The 2026 Shelby County mayoral primary election will take place May 5, 2026. The race will determine who succeeds current Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, first elected in 2018, who is term-limited and cannot seek a third term.
