{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- None listed; running for Shelby County Commission District 9 in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026. ([Greater Memphis Chamber](https://memphischamber.com/blog/general/meet-the-candidates-county-commission-district-9/))\n\n- Candidate in the Democratic primary for Shelby County Commission District 9. ([Greater Memphis Chamber](https://memphischamber.com/blog/general/meet-the-candidates-county-commission-district-9/))\n- Describes himself as having spent 20 years in corporate management and 17 years as an entrepreneur. ([JustMyMemphis](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/3786))\n- Platform focuses on restoration, redevelopment, and economic development for Westwood, Whitehaven, and Southwest Memphis. ([JustMyMemphis](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/3786))\n- Partner in a Whitehaven tax office with Brandon Pryor, hosting workshops on financial literacy and tax preparation. ([JustMyMemphis](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/3786))\n- Serves on the advisory board of A Better Whitehaven and is a member of the Westwood Neighborhood Association. ([JustMyMemphis](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/3786))\n\n## Background and education\n- No educational background listed in sources.\n\n## Office history\n- No prior elected office listed in sources.\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\n## Family\n- Uncle Stevie Moore of the Stop the Killing Foundation is cited as a primary mentor. ([JustMyMemphis](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/3786))\n\n---\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18.*\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_9","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 9"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Sam","fullname":"Sam D. Echols IV","lastname":"Echols","middlename":"D.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_9","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 9","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":"County Commissioner District 9","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"shelby","cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"county_commissioner_district_9","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 9","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":"County Commissioner District 9","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":"County Commissioner District 9","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"suffix":"IV","terms":[],"token":"zdRNF3X26i"}