[{"bio_snippet":"Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools board chair (District 2), appointed 2019; lost re-election to Natalie McKinney in August 2024 after 38 years as a Memphis teacher.","biography":"Althea Greene is a former member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education, representing District 2. The Shelby County Commission appointed her to the seat on February 25, 2019, after 38 years as a classroom teacher at six Memphis-area schools; she retired from the district in 2018 [1][2]. She won the seat outright, unopposed, in the August 2020 general election [3].\n\n## Office history\nThe board elected Greene chair for the 2022-23 term on September 28, 2022, succeeding Michelle McKissack [3]. Board members retained her as chair for a second term on September 26, 2023, by a 7-0 vote (one member voted present) [4]. As chair, Greene oversaw the district's search for a permanent superintendent; after three finalists were presented in April 2023 she paused the search amid disagreement over the selection process, and several leading candidates subsequently withdrew. The board later restarted the search under revised requirements led by other members [4].\n\nGreene did not win re-election. In the August 1, 2024 election, challenger Natalie McKinney defeated Greene for the District 2 seat; Chalkbeat reported McKinney \"maintained a consistent lead over Greene that grew as the night went on.\" Greene said she would continue working \"for the students and families of the district\" [5]. McKinney, not Greene, is the current District 2 board member and chair.\n\n## Career\nBefore her school board service, Greene spent 38 years as an educator in Memphis-area public schools, teaching at six different schools, before retiring in 2018 [1]. She is also senior pastor of Real Life Ministries in Memphis [6].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Former Memphis teacher Althea Greene named interim school board member by county commission](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2019/2/25/21106889/former-memphis-teacher-althea-greene-named-interim-school-board-member-by-county-commission/) - Chalkbeat Tennessee, accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Althea Greene appointed to Shelby County Schools board](https://dailymemphian.com/article/3336/Althea-Greene-appointed-to-Shelby-County-Schools-board) - Daily Memphian, accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [Althea Greene is named new MSCS board chair at pivotal time](https://tn.chalkbeat.org/2022/9/28/23377321/memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-chair-althea-greene-covid-superintendent-search) - Chalkbeat Tennessee, accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [MSCS board again taps Althea Greene as chair](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2023/9/26/23891928/memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-chair-2023-althea-greene-joyce-dorse-coleman/) - Chalkbeat Tennessee, accessed 2026-07-06\n[5] [Memphis-Shelby County Schools election results: Challenger defeats board chair](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2024/08/01/memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-election-results-2024/) - Chalkbeat Tennessee, accessed 2026-07-06\n[6] [Real Life Ministries](http://www.reallifememphis.org/) - accessed 2026-07-06 (church site; confirms pastoral role)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Althea","fullname":"Althea Greene ","lastname":"","middlename":"Greene","suffix":null,"summary":"Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools board chair (District 2), appointed 2019; lost re-election to Natalie McKinney in August 2024 after 38 years as a Memphis teacher.","token":"AVqSfurMn8"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Angela Rogers is a candidate for the Memphis Shelby County School Board, District 3 1 2 . Background and education Rogers is a native of Memphis and an alumna of Northside High School 2 . She pursued higher education at LeMoyne Owen College and ea","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAngela Rogers is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, District 3 [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nRogers is a native of Memphis and an alumna of Northside High School [2]. She pursued higher education at LeMoyne-Owen College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Jacksonville Theological Seminary [2]. She also received a Certification in Urban Youth Studies through Crichton College and the Memphis Urban Youth Initiative (UYI) training program [2]. She has resided in Raleigh, TN for 35 years [2].\n\n## Career\nSince 1999, Rogers has been involved in supporting students and families in Memphis' District 3 through various community roles [2]. She worked in Memphis City Schools as a substitute teacher and volunteer staff member in the Raleigh, Frayser, and North Memphis areas, and collaborated with organizations including the Leadership Empowerment Center and Young Women Striving for Excellence [2].\n\nRogers served as founder and executive director of A Mother's Heart, a program supporting teenage mothers at Trezevant High School, Craigmont High School, Frayser High School, and others [2].\n\nRogers' civic engagement began as a street captain during Willie Herenton's mayoral campaign [2]. She served as a patient board member at Christ Community Health Services for seven years [2]. She currently volunteers with Arise2Read at New Hope Christian Academy and contributes to initiatives at Innovation Church Memphis [2].\n\nRogers received a Key to the City from Councilman Myron Lowry and multiple Outstanding Service awards [2].\n\n## Family\nRogers is a parent to a son and daughter, and a grandmother to two granddaughters. She also cares for her elderly parents [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Angela_Rogers_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Campaign Site](https://www.angelarogersford3scholars.com/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Angela","fullname":"Angela Rogers ","lastname":"","middlename":"Rogers","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"pgvnryN8l9"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ann","fullname":"Ann ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"hHCFbCYhuc"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Balefield","fullname":"Balefield ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"Ya7AmJTB5l"},{"bio_snippet":"Bill Anderson Jr. is currently serving as the judge presiding over Division 7 of the Shelby County General Sessions Court in Tennessee. He has held this position since September 1, 2010, and was re-elected in the general election held on August 4, 2022. Anderson's current term is set to conclude on September 1, 2030. There is no information available about his education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns.","biography":"## Office\n\nBill Anderson Jr. served as the judge presiding over Division 7 of the Shelby County General Sessions Court in Tennessee from September 1, 2010 through March 1, 2025. In the general election held on August 4, 2022, Anderson sought re-election and won, securing another term before his retirement.\n\n## Education\n\nMemphis State University \u2014 BA in Criminal Justice\n\nMemphis State University \u2014 JD\n\n## Retirement (March 2025)\n\nJudge Anderson submitted his retirement letter to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in early 2025, with his last day on the bench set for **March 1, 2025**, ending a 14-year career as a Shelby County General Sessions Court judge ([Fox13 Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/shelby-county-judge-bill-anderson-frequently-criticized-for-use-of-ror-to-retire/article_42a6fef8-c92d-11ef-93f9-2b06e9e837b9.html), [WREG](https://wreg.com/news/local/shelby-county-judge-retires-following-local-state-complaints/)). In his letter, Anderson wrote: \"At the age of seventy-one, my work is done.\"\n\nThe retirement followed sustained public criticism over his use of release-on-own-recognizance (ROR) bonds, and complaints filed with the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct by Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor. Senator Taylor publicly responded to the retirement announcement, writing that he was \"pleased about Judge Anderson's decision to retire March 1 following my complaints to the Board of Judicial Conduct.\"\n\nThe Shelby County Commission appointed **Taylor E. Bachelor**, a former Shelby County Assistant District Attorney, to fill the seat on February 24, 2025 ([Action News 5](https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/02/24/shelby-co-commissioners-appoint-taylor-bachelor-as-criminal-court-judge-bill-anderson/), [Fox13 Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/shelby-county-commissioners-nominate-replacement-for-judge-bill-anderson/article_6ad9bd6c-f302-11ef-a5e3-1f4b6a39535c.html)).\n\n## Controversies\n\n### Reprimand\n\nJudge Anderson was reprimanded by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct on two occasions. One reprimand stated that he \"publicly expressed animosity\" toward the law governing the bail system while at a Shelby County Commission meeting, and quoted Anderson as saying \"bail bond companies don't do anything except collect money from poor people\" and \"I detest the bail bond system in Shelby County. I detest it across the state.\" ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/shelby-county-judge-reprimanded-for-behavior-by-board-of-conduct/522-2100ecd8-ca78-47b9-b3fe-62a6a766b490))\n\n### Shooting suspect released without bond\n\nJudge Anderson released a shooting suspect without bond despite objections by District Attorney Steve Mulroy ([Action News 5](https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2024/08/27/district-attorney-releases-statement-after-railgarten-shooting-suspect-released-without-bond/)). He faced other public complaints about his decisions to release defendants without bail ([WREG](https://wreg.com/news/local/commissioner-calls-for-shelby-co-judge-to-resign-over-release-of-defendants/)).\n\n## Sources\n\n- [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bill_Anderson_Jr._(Tennessee))\n- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-anderson-39748930/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Bill","fullname":"Bill Anderson ","lastname":"","middlename":"Anderson","suffix":null,"summary":"Bill Anderson Jr. is currently serving as the judge presiding over Division 7 of the Shelby County General Sessions Court in Tennessee. He has held this position since September 1, 2010, and was re-elected in the general election held on August 4, 2022. Anderson's current term is set to conclude on September 1, 2030. There is no information available about his education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns.","token":"F9jjly4JVJ"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Oppenhuizen campaigned as a grassroots candidate emphasizing accountability for public officials, protection of constitutional rights, stronger consequences for those convicted of crimes, and directing tax dollars toward the local economy 1 2 . Ba","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nOppenhuizen campaigned as a grassroots candidate emphasizing accountability for public officials, protection of constitutional rights, stronger consequences for those convicted of crimes, and directing tax dollars toward the local economy [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nOppenhuizen was raised in Memphis, Tennessee [2].\n\n## Career\nOppenhuizen is a small business owner based in Memphis [1][2].\n\n## Office history\nChristina Oppenhuizen ran as a Republican candidate in the August 1, 2024 primary election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97, challenging two-term incumbent John Gillespie [1][2]. District 97 covers portions of East Memphis including Chickasaw Gardens, White Station, and an area adjacent to Shelby Farms [1]. Gillespie defeated Oppenhuizen in the primary [3].\n\n## Family\nOppenhuizen is a single mother [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee District 97's John Gillespie faces challenger \u2013 Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/45025/tennessee-house-of-representatives-district-97-election-john-gillespie-christina-oppenhuizen)\n- [2] [Christina Oppenhuizen for TN House \u2013 Campaign Website](https://votechristinao.wordpress.com/)\n- [3] [Legislative incumbents get easy wins in primary to advance to November \u2013 Fox 13 Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/legislative-incumbents-get-easy-wins-in-primary-to-advance-to-november/article_97ee105e-5079-11ef-91c8-c3353f636bba.html)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Christina","fullname":"Christina Oppenhuizen ","lastname":"","middlename":"Oppenhuizen","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"qlPVTS6L7N"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Civil Miller Watkins ran as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from Tennessee in the 2024 election cycle 1 2 . She lost the August 1, 2024 Democratic primary to Gloria Johnson 4 . Miller Watkins' campaign focused on the following ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCivil Miller-Watkins ran as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from Tennessee in the 2024 election cycle [1][2]. She lost the August 1, 2024 Democratic primary to Gloria Johnson [4].\n\nMiller-Watkins' campaign focused on the following issue areas [1]:\n\n**Education:** Supporting public schools as a first-choice option and enacting gun safety laws to allow students to feel safe in school and in the community.\n\n**Health care:** Advocating for women's reproductive rights, supporting caregivers of family members, improving maternal care outcomes, and reducing rural healthcare access gaps.\n\n**Economy:** Expanding the availability of well-paying jobs, supporting unions to strengthen the middle class, and promoting economic policy that broadens opportunity.\n\n## Office history\nMiller-Watkins previously served in a school board leadership role in Tennessee, including as vice chair of the Fayette County Board of Education [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Campaign Site](https://www.civilforsenate.com/home)\n[2] [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Civil_Miller-Watkins)\n[3] [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fcps-school-board-spotlight-vice-chair-civil-public-schools-tn-/)\n[4] [Tennessee Democrat Miller-Watkins runs for U.S. Senate \u2013 Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2024/07/20/senate-candidate-democrat-civil-miller-watkins/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Civil","fullname":"Civil Miller-Watkins ","lastname":"","middlename":"Miller-Watkins","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"7OsfAd3uAC"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Duncan","fullname":"Duncan ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"CuJLmTaaaG"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Jeremy Burnett is a candidate for the Lakeland Board of Commissioners 3 . He has previously served on the Lakeland School Board 4 . Background and education Burnett earned a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration and a Master of ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJeremy Burnett is a candidate for the Lakeland Board of Commissioners [3]. He has previously served on the Lakeland School Board [4].\n\n## Background and education\nBurnett earned a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration and a Master of Science in Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality, both from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville [1]. He has been a resident of Lakeland since early 2012 [3].\n\n## Career\nBurnett has worked at Southwest Tennessee Community College since 2000, currently serving as Dean of Faculty Support [1]. He has previously held the roles of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Department Chair, Director of Distance Education, and Director of Faculty Advising at the same institution [1]. Prior to higher education, he worked in the hotel and casino industry, including with Kemmons Wilson Companies (Holiday Inn) and the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas [1].\n\nBurnett serves on the Board of Directors of the Lakeland Education Foundation [1]. He is an active member of Faith Baptist Church, where he volunteers in the preschool ministry [1]. He has been involved with Boy Scouts for more than 12 years, serving as Cubmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, Eagle Mentor, and Troop Committee Chair [1].\n\n## Family\nBurnett is married to Rachel Burnett. They have three children: Andrew (19), Anne (10), and Addison (6) [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-burnett-0a487b45/)\n[2] [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JeremyBunett/)\n[3] [Lakeland Currents \u2013 Candidacy](https://lakelandcurrents.com/jeremy-burnett-candidate-for-board-of-commissioners/)\n[4] [Lakeland Currents \u2013 School Board](https://lakelandcurrents.com/meet-the-two-newly-appointed-members-of-the-lakeland-school-board/)\n[5] [Lakeland Currents \u2013 Petitions](https://lakelandcurrents.com/lakeland-candidates-pull-petitions-to-run-for-city-offices-this-fall/)\n[6] [Lakeland School System Board](https://www.lakelandk12.org/board)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jeremy","fullname":"Jeremy Burnett ","lastname":"","middlename":"Burnett","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"meQzNpaQmn"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"KEIT","fullname":"KEIT ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"EGpdYu5adb"},{"bio_snippet":"Larry Dagen is the mayor of Millington, Tennessee, elected in November 2024 after previously serving as a city alderman.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nLarry Dagen was elected Mayor of Millington, Tennessee, in the November 5, 2024 general election, defeating Cary Vaughn, the chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party [1][2][3]. He was sworn in on January 1, 2025, succeeding Terry Jones, who had served as mayor for two decades [1]. In February 2026, Mayor Dagen delivered a State of the City address highlighting accomplishments from his first year in office [4].\n\n## Career\n\nBefore becoming mayor, Dagen served as a Millington Alderman for 12 years, building an extensive record of service on the city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen [2]. As mayor, he serves on the MidSouth Development District Board of Directors [5]. He has expressed a vision of making Millington \"the best place in the country for veterans to retire,\" reflecting the city's longstanding connection to Naval Support Activity Mid-South [6].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Millington taps Dagen as new mayor \u2013 Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroelections/article/47641/millington-elections-mayor-larry-dagen)\n- [2] [Top county Republican, alderman vie for Millington mayor \u2013 Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/47031/millington-mayor-larry-dagen-cary-vaughn-memphis-suburb)\n- [3] [Larry Dagen wins Millington Mayoral Election \u2013 Action News 5](https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/11/06/larry-dagen-wins-millington-mayoral-election/)\n- [4] [Mayor Larry Dagen \u2013 State of the City Address \u2013 City of Millington](https://www.millingtontn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=537)\n- [5] [MidSouth Development District \u2013 Board of Directors](https://www.midsouthdd.org/board-of-directors)\n- [6] [Mayor of Millington Tours Indmar Marine Engines](https://indmar.com/mayor-of-millington-tours-indmar-marine-engines/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Larry","fullname":"Larry Dagen ","lastname":"","middlename":"Dagen","suffix":null,"summary":"Larry Dagen is the mayor of Millington, Tennessee, elected in November 2024 after previously serving as a city alderman.","token":"WUfYrcqQHC"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"MAR","fullname":"MAR ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"AS6pz2lJ53"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Marks","fullname":"Marks ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"41KlLoF8XC"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Republican","fullname":"Republican ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"tjRthO7S3V"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Republican","fullname":"Republican ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"CEdnGvjnRQ"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":"","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ryan","fullname":"Ryan Strain ","lastname":"","middlename":"Strain","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"yXVdCap9vc"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Ryan Strain serves as Chairman of the Germantown Board of Education and as the board's liaison to the City of Germantown's Education Commission 1 . He was first elected to the board in December 2020 and served as the board's Tennessee Legislative ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRyan Strain serves as Chairman of the Germantown Board of Education and as the board's liaison to the City of Germantown's Education Commission [1]. He was first elected to the board in December 2020 and served as the board's Tennessee Legislative Network representative from December 2020 to December 2022 [1].\n\n## Background and education\nStrain grew up in Germantown, Tennessee, attending Dogwood Elementary, Houston Middle School, and Houston High School, graduating in 2001 [1]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Memphis in 2005 and a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2008 [1]. He and his wife Sarah returned to Germantown in 2017 [1].\n\n## Career\nStrain practices law with a focus on civil litigation [1]. He has received honors from his law firm for pro bono legal service [1].\n\nStrain has been involved with the Dogwood PTO Board, Dogwood Dads, the City of Germantown Historic Commission, Leadership Germantown, the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County Foster Care Review Board, the United Way, the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation TEAM Mentoring Program, and the Memphis Ministries Team at First Evangelical Church [1]. He served on the Board of Directors for Operation Broken Silence, a nonprofit that helps fund a primary and secondary school in Yida Refugee Camp near the border of Sudan and South Sudan [1].\n\n## Family\nStrain and his wife Sarah have three sons, two of whom attend Dogwood Elementary School [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Germantown Municipal School District Board](https://www.gmsdk12.org/apps/pages/boardmembers)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ryan","fullname":"Ryan Strain ","lastname":"","middlename":"Strain","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"MwV0MRc8IC"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":"","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Sherrie","fullname":"Sherrie Hicks ","lastname":"","middlename":"Hicks","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"L54dcuBC38"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Sherrie Hicks is a candidate for Germantown Alderman 1 . Background and education Hicks graduated high school in Orlando, Florida, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin 1 . She has lived in Germantown for 30 yea","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nSherrie Hicks is a candidate for Germantown Alderman [1].\n\n## Background and education\nHicks graduated high school in Orlando, Florida, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin [1]. She has lived in Germantown for 30 years [1].\n\n## Career\nHicks has worked in medical sales [1].\n\n## Office history\nHicks has served in a number of civic and community roles in Germantown:\n\n- Poplar Estates Neighborhood Association: various roles, 1994\u20132009, including President\n- Dogwood Grove Homeowners Association: multiple roles, 2009\u2013present, including President\n- Leadership Germantown, Class of 2000\n- Design Review Commission, City of Germantown, 2001\u20132002\n- Planning Commission, City of Germantown, 2003\u20132007 and 2018\u2013present\n- Houston Middle School PTA: President and other roles, 2015\u20132019\n- President, Germantown Council of Neighborhood Associations, 2013\u20132014\n- Board of Zoning and Appeals, City of Germantown, 2016\u20132017\n- Team Read Volunteer, 2017\u20132019\n- Germantown Education Foundation, Secretary, 2019\u2013present\n- Advocated for Dogwood Grove neighbors' removal from FEMA Flood Zone, 2013\u20132018 [1]\n\n## Family\nHicks is married to Steve Hicks. They have three sons who graduated from Germantown schools. Their oldest son graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2018 and is currently serving in the U.S. Army. Their middle son works in information technology. Their youngest son is pursuing a criminal justice degree at the University of Memphis [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Campaign Website](https://www.hicks4germantown.com/about-sherrie)\n[2] [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Hicks4Germantown/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Sherrie","fullname":"Sherrie Hicks ","lastname":"","middlename":"Hicks","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"Mm7Zmutopp"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"SYL","fullname":"SYL ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"zEcWexgLgf"}]