Kyler L. Gilkey

Kyler Gilkey is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 84 in Shelby County ¹. He is challenging incumbent Joe Towns Jr. in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. Early voting for the primary runs from July 17 to August 1, 2026 ¹⁴.

Gilkey describes himself as a "proud Memphis native" and a graduate of The Soulsville Charter School ¹, ¹⁶. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of Memphis ¹⁶. His campaign website credits him with a career dedicated to public service and legislative advocacy, noting that he has worked both locally and nationally ¹⁴.

Gilkey’s professional background includes roles in local government and federal congressional offices. He began his career as a legislative fellow in the Memphis City Attorney's Office, where he conducted research on city ordinances and cost recovery measures ¹⁶. He subsequently served in the office of U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, first as a Staff Assistant in Washington, D.C., and later in the district ¹⁶. In his role with Cohen, Gilkey managed the office’s internship program and supported legislative efforts related to housing, education, and agriculture ¹⁶.

In 2023, Gilkey joined the office of U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California’s 37th District as a Legislative Assistant ¹⁶. His portfolio there covered housing, financial services, health care, education, transportation, small business, and labor ¹⁶. He claims to have worked on legislation supporting foster youth, renters' rights, and labor protections, and helped secure approximately $40 million in federal funding for projects in Memphis and Los Angeles through the appropriations process ¹⁶. Additionally, Gilkey served as Secretary of the Congressional Black Associates for two years, an organization focused on the development of Black staffers on Capitol Hill ¹⁶.

In 2024, Gilkey was elected by the Tennessee Democratic Party to serve as an At-Large Delegate for the Democratic National Convention in support of Vice President Kamala Harris ¹⁶. That same year, he received the Memphis Urban Professional “Changemaker 40 Under 40” award ¹⁶.

In his 2026 campaign, Gilkey has outlined three key themes: economic development, public safety, and healthcare ¹. He advocates for expanding job training in logistics, healthcare, and technology, increasing state investment in small business grants for minority-owned businesses in the Hickory Ridge area, and boosting infrastructure at the Memphis airport ¹. On public safety, he supports community policing initiatives, violence prevention programs, and justice reforms including alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenses ¹. Regarding healthcare, he aims to restore affordability and expand Medicaid coverage in Tennessee, address healthcare deserts, and focus on maternal and mental health care for communities of color ¹.

Gilkey has received endorsements from several elected officials, including U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen and Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Senator Raumesh Akbari, U.S. Representative Torrey Harris, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, and Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk Jamita Swearengen ¹⁵. He also lists support from community leaders such as former Tennessee Democratic Party Director Tamara Bates and former City Council Member Patrice Robinson ¹⁵.

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