{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nHis campaign platform, titled \"The Will to Lead,\" focuses on three core areas: public safety, education, and economic empowerment ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). Regarding public safety, he advocates for community-based policing, conflict resolution education for youth, and replacing the aging county jail with a modern facility ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). On education, he supports early childhood programs, improved literacy, and the return of vocational and trade programs ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/); [The Will to Lead](https://thewilltolead.com/)). Economically, he emphasizes revitalizing downtown Memphis, supporting minority-owned businesses, and holding corporations accountable for job creation ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He also champions government transparency and open meetings ([The Will to Lead](https://thewilltolead.com/); [Just My Memphis](https://justmymemphis.com/willrichardson)).\n\nRichardson received an endorsement from ChangeTN during the 2023 election cycle ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He also secured support from the Memphis Urban League for his bid\n\n## Career\nWill Richardson is a lifelong Memphian who has worked as an entrepreneur and business owner in Shelby County, Tennessee ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He founded and operates multiple businesses, including a home healthcare company that provides services to the elderly and disabled across the county ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). Per his campaign site, he has spent decades mentoring youth and coaching sports, as well as organizing community aid efforts such as water deliveries during crises ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He is also a founding leader of Men of Impact, an initiative focused on mentoring young men and fostering fatherhood ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)).\n\nRichardson is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He was raised by a single mother in North Memphis, where he learned values of hard work and perseverance ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He identifies as a husband, father, and grandfather ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)).\n\n## Office history\nRichardson has sought elected office in Tennessee at both the state and county levels. In 2019, he ran for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 8 ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He later ran for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86, finishing fourth in the special Democratic primary held on January 24, 2023, with 8.1% of the vote ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He is currently running for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 8, appearing on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for May 5, 2026 ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)).\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\nNo statement of interest filing found as of 2026-04-25. Search the [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm).\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"tn","title":"County Commissioner District 8"},{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 8"}],"cf_filings":[{"county":"shelby","displayname":"Richardson, Will","documents":[{"datesubmitted":"02/02/26","documentid":"43864D06-0307-4C70-AEE1-2D3B35B5BD3D","documentname":"Richardson, Will - CFD Year-End 2025","documentnameid":["43864D06-0307-4C70-AEE1-2D3B35B5BD3D","Richardson, Will - CFD Year-End 2025"],"documenttype":"Campaign Financial Disclosure","electionname":null},{"datesubmitted":"07/08/25","documentid":"3AEA6329-48BD-4851-8B70-2DAB1C85C88B","documentname":"Richardson, Will - Appointment of Treasurer 2026.pdf","documentnameid":["3AEA6329-48BD-4851-8B70-2DAB1C85C88B","Richardson, Will - Appointment of Treasurer 2026.pdf"],"documenttype":"Appointment of Treasurer","electionname":null}],"filertype":"Candidate","officename":"Shelby County Commissioner, Dist. 8","source_customer_id":"EE6EBC62-7B7C-432F-869E-4DE111271E07","source_filer_id":"62966A91-AD11-4708-B5CE-84C4955044DE","source_system":"easyvote","state":"TN","status":"Active"}],"firstname":"Will","fullname":"Will Richardson","lastname":"Richardson","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"tn"},{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"shelby","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"tn"},"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"terms":[],"token":"Hn0xAw7oA6"}