{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMyra Charles is a Democratic Party candidate running for Shelby County Clerk in Tennessee. She is seeking the office in the upcoming election cycle, with the primary scheduled for May 5, 2026, and the general election set for August 6, 2026 ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Charles)). Charles is one of several candidates vying for the position in a race where no incumbent is currently serving ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Charles)).  Campaign website [https://myracharles.com/](https://myracharles.com/)\n\n### Campaign Themes and Platform\n\nCharles has outlined a platform focused on operational efficiency, transparency, and community service through her campaign website. She describes public office as \"a responsibility to serve, not a position of power,\" emphasizing a commitment to listening to community voices and building relationships across neighborhoods (per Myra Charles' campaign website). Her stated goals include improving customer service by reducing wait times for residents seeking basic services, such as tag renewals, through improved staffing and streamlined processes (per Myra Charles' campaign website).\n\nA significant portion of her platform addresses the need to modernize the Clerk's Office. Charles proposes implementing more kiosks, mobile services, extended hours, and user-friendly technological upgrades to meet contemporary needs (per Myra Charles' campaign website). She also emphasizes expanding access for diverse populations, including seniors, veterans, working families, and the growing Hispanic/Latino community, by providing translation and interpretation services where needed (per Myra Charles' campaign website).\n\n### Accountability and Transparency\n\nCharles asserts that residents should not be left in the dark regarding government operations. Her platform pledges to ensure clear, accessible information about services, fees, and timelines, while publishing regular updates so taxpayers understand how their funds are utilized (per Myra Charles' campaign website). To strengthen accountability, she plans to establish open channels for feedback, set measurable performance goals, and report progress openly, stating that integrity, service, and results will guide every decision (per Myra Charles' campaign website).\n\n### Election Context\n\nMyra Charles is listed on the ballot for the Democratic primary for Shelby County Clerk. She competes against other candidates including James Fuller, Arriell Gipson-Martin, Bob Green, LaSonya Hall, Ed Holt Jr., Bennie Smith, William Stovall, George Summers, Britney Thornton, and Mike Williams ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Charles)). As of the available records, Charles has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey for the 2026 election cycle ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Charles)). Her campaign contact information is listed as mc@myracharles.com ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Charles)).\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\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_clerk","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"County Clerk"}],"cf_filings":[{"county":"shelby","displayname":"Charles, Myra","documents":[{"datesubmitted":"08/11/25","documentid":"47DA3515-8B93-4C67-972B-BC57787983DE","documentname":"Charles, Myra - CFD Mid-Year 2025","documentnameid":["47DA3515-8B93-4C67-972B-BC57787983DE","Charles, Myra - CFD Mid-Year 2025"],"documenttype":"2025 CFD","electionname":null},{"datesubmitted":"04/28/25","documentid":"F51B48F6-9094-4713-8C1A-1ACA69736DA5","documentname":"Charles, Myra - Appointment of Treasurer 2026.pdf","documentnameid":["F51B48F6-9094-4713-8C1A-1ACA69736DA5","Charles, Myra - Appointment of Treasurer 2026.pdf"],"documenttype":"Appointment of Treasurer","electionname":null}],"filertype":"Candidate","officename":"County Clerk","source_customer_id":"EE6EBC62-7B7C-432F-869E-4DE111271E07","source_filer_id":"2AA45A1F-17E0-45E7-B845-A2FFE90D12CF","source_system":"easyvote","state":"TN","status":"Active"}],"firstname":"Myra","fullname":"Myra Charles","lastname":"Charles","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_clerk","contest_title":"County Clerk","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_clerk","office_title":"County Clerk","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"shelby","cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"county_clerk","contest_title":"County Clerk","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_clerk","office_title":"County Clerk","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_clerk","office_title":"County Clerk","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"terms":[],"token":"XoiOde00xf"}