{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Lashanta Rudd","chatgptsummary":"Rudd\u2019s twelve-year tenure as CEO of Serving In Christ Outreach Ministries demonstrates nonprofit leadership and collaborative project management with Memphis stakeholders. Her role as a substitute teacher highlights direct community engagement and conflict resolution skills relevant to constituent relations. As a Certified Mental Health Life Coach, she applies holistic support strategies for workforce readiness. These experiences suggest capacity for policy judgment on social services and intergovernmental coordination. However, the biography lacks specific details regarding budget literacy, legislative drafting experience, or prior public service in Shelby County government.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAt Serving In Christ Outreach Ministries Inc., we've spent over 12 years fostering workforce readiness and job skills training to empower disadvantaged individuals towards stable employment and successful community integration. Our collaborative projects with Memphis stakeholders have expanded our reach, a testament to our mission of societal upliftment. With a robust background in nonprofit leadership, my role as CEO has been pivotal in steering programs that make a tangible difference.\n\nIn parallel, serving as a Substitute Teacher has enabled me to directly contribute to educational development, utilizing my conflict resolution skills to manage and mentor effectively. As a Certified Mental Health Life Coach, I infuse a holistic approach to support, ensuring that every individual I encounter is equipped with the necessary guidance to thrive, both personally and professionally. My commitment is to create pathways for growth and development, aligning with the values of both Serving In Christ Outreach Ministries and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. \n\n[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashanta-rudd-16958761/)\n[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lashanta.rudd)\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=RUDD&id=98848&f=200066&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [Representative (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=RUDD&id=98848&f=179817&v=1) \u2014 filed as a state official/candidate\n\n*Source: [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm). Scraped 2026-04-25.*\n","firstname":"LaShanta","lastname":"Rudd","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ZoQ0H5nUJ7"},"token":"lashanta_rudd"},{"candidatename":"Samuel B Nelson","chatgptsummary":"Nelson\u2019s background as a minister, small business owner, and community leader in Bethel Grove and Orange Mound suggests direct constituent relations for District 10. His campaign platform emphasizes public safety, economic opportunity, and neighborhood revitalization, indicating policy judgment on local services and land use. However, the biography provides no evidence of budget literacy regarding the county budget or tax rates, nor does it detail experience with legislative processes like drafting ordinances or committee work. It also lacks information on prior public service tenure or statutory training.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nSamuel B. Nelson was a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Commission District 10 in the May 5, 2026 primary, running against John Bradley, Rebecca Edwards, Lashanta Rudd, and Brandon Washington (Gregory Holmes withdrew before the election) [1]. Lashanta Rudd won the Democratic nomination [2]; Nelson did not win.\n\n## Career\nPer his campaign website, Nelson was \"born and raised in the Bethel Grove and Orange Mound neighborhoods\" and describes his background as a minister, small business owner, and community leader who has \"built multiple successful businesses that created jobs and launched community programs\" [3]. Nelson has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] Shelby County Election Commission, Candidate List for the May 5, 2026 Election - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [FINAL: Election results tallied across Shelby County](https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/05/06/final-election-results-tallied-across-shelby-county/) - Action News 5, 2026-05-06\n[3] [Nelson4District10 campaign website](https://www.nelson4district10.com/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n","firstname":"Samuel","lastname":"Nelson","middlename":"B","suffix":null,"token":"FYskQCmZdo"},"token":"samuel_b_nelson"},{"candidatename":"Brandon \"DD\" Washington","chatgptsummary":"Washington\u2019s 2023 city council run garnered roughly 16,000 votes, demonstrating prior electoral engagement and constituent reach within a single-member district framework. His testimony before the U.S. Senate Caucus on Foster Youth contributed to federal SNAP expansions, indicating experience with legislative processes and policy advocacy at higher governmental levels. As a University of Memphis political science senior, he possesses academic grounding relevant to county law and budget literacy.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- Democratic candidate for **Shelby County Commissioner, District 10**, in the May 5, 2026 primary.\n- Campaign site: [brandon4commission.com](https://www.brandon4commission.com/). Campaign treasurer: Jordyn Williams.\n- At the time of his 2026 announcement he was 22 years old. ([Daily Helmsman, Oct 2025](https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/10/uofm-senior-brandon-washington-enters-shelby-county-commission-race), [Greater Memphis Chamber candidate brief](https://memphischamber.com/blog/general/meet-the-candidates-county-commission-district-10/))\n\n- Testified before the U.S. Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. His advocacy contributed to a SNAP-eligibility expansion for aged-out foster youth, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness that was included in the **Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023**. ([Daily Helmsman](https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/10/uofm-senior-brandon-washington-enters-shelby-county-commission-race), [NFYI](https://nfyi.org/cla25/brandon-washington/))\n- Member, Tennessee Young Adult Advisory Council; affiliated with Facing History and Ourselves.\n\n- Expanding re-entry programs, addressing homelessness through career pathways, and improving access to resources for working families. Campaign framed as \"people-powered \u2026 fighting for opportunity, stability, and accountability.\" ([campaign site](https://www.brandon4commission.com/))\n\n---\n\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18. The Rhodes \u2192 University of Memphis transfer is inferred from consistent biographical markers across 2023\u20132026 coverage but is not explicitly confirmed by any single source.*\n\n## Background and education\n- Orange Mound (Memphis) native. District 10 covers Orange Mound, Bethel Grove, and Sherwood \u2014 neighborhoods he has described as \"the heartbeat of Memphis.\" ([Greater Memphis Chamber](https://memphischamber.com/blog/general/meet-the-candidates-county-commission-district-10/))\n- Former foster youth; entered the foster care system at 15. ([Youth Villages, Jan 2024](https://youthvillages.org/rhodes-student-former-foster-youth-got-16k-votes-in-city-council-race-hes-just-getting-started/))\n- Middle school valedictorian at Hanley Middle School; attended Middle College High School at Christian Brothers University. ([brandon4memphis.weebly.com, 2023](https://brandon4memphis.weebly.com/about-brandon.html))\n\n- University of Memphis, political science (senior as of October 2025). ([Daily Helmsman, Oct 2025](https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/10/uofm-senior-brandon-washington-enters-shelby-county-commission-race), [National Foster Youth Institute](https://nfyi.org/cla25/brandon-washington/))\n- Earlier coverage (2023\u20132024) identified him as a Rhodes College student on a Posse Foundation Leadership Scholarship; he appears to have transferred to the University of Memphis, though no source explicitly states this. ([Youth Villages](https://youthvillages.org/rhodes-student-former-foster-youth-got-16k-votes-in-city-council-race-hes-just-getting-started/), [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brandon_Washington_(Tennessee)))\n\n## Office history\n- 2023: Ran for Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 2, against incumbent Ford Canale. Did not win; received approximately **16,000 votes** at age 19\u201320. ([Youth Villages](https://youthvillages.org/rhodes-student-former-foster-youth-got-16k-votes-in-city-council-race-hes-just-getting-started/), [Run for Something](https://directory.runforsomething.net/candidate/3764/washington-brandon/))\n- On the 2023 race: *\"I felt like it was a longshot, especially because I was going against an incumbent. But I like longshots.\"* ([Youth Villages](https://youthvillages.org/rhodes-student-former-foster-youth-got-16k-votes-in-city-council-race-hes-just-getting-started/))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=WASHINGTON&id=97384&f=200705&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n\n*Source: [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm). Scraped 2026-04-25.*\n","firstname":"Brandon","lastname":"Washington","middlename":"D.","suffix":null,"token":"OOU29uPWrF"},"token":"brandon_dd_washington"},{"candidatename":"Rebecca Jane Edwards","chatgptsummary":"Not enough public information found to evaluate.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"Rebecca Edwards is a Democratic candidate running for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 10 in Tennessee [1]. She is one of five candidates in the Democratic primary scheduled for May 5, 2026, with the general election set for August 6, 2026 [1]. Edwards has lived in District 10 for 55 years [1].\n\nEdwards graduated from Wooddale Senior High School and holds bachelor's degrees from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Christian Brothers University [1]. Her professional background includes working as a nonprofit founder, managing people and budgets, teaching at a junior college, and advocating within government agencies [1]. In 2026, she completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, outlining her experience in connecting individuals to essential resources and collaborating with diverse groups [1].\n\nA significant part of Edwards' career involves the performing arts. She founded Cultural Arts For Everyone (CAF\u00c9), a nonprofit presenting organization dedicated to bringing artistic experiences to students, new audiences, and underserved communities [1]. Under her leadership, CAF\u00c9 presented over 90 productions and reached more than 119,000 people, half of whom were school-age children [1]. Edwards noted that her organization became the first to sell out the 2,100-seat Cannon Center with Ailey II and was recognized as a Kennedy Center Partner in Education, partnering with Memphis City Schools for educator and student workshops [1].\n\nEdwards previously ran for office in 2022. She was a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 9 [1]. In the general election held on August 4, 2022, she lost to incumbent Joyce Dorse-Coleman, receiving 40.9% of the vote compared to Dorse-Coleman's 59.1% [1].\n\nHer service has been recognized by The Links, River City (TN) Chapter, Emerge Tennessee, and Women of Achievement [1]. Currently, she serves on the Orange Mound Land Trust Advisory Board [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Rebecca Edwards (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Rebecca_Edwards_(Tennessee))\n- [2] [Rebecca Edwards - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Rebecca_Edwards)\n- [3] [Rebecca Edwards (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Rebecca_Edwards_(North_Carolina))\n- [4] [Becky Edwards - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Becky_Edwards)\n- [5] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [7] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [8] [2026 Election United States Senate - Tennessee - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/TN/2026/)\n- [9] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 05 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/05/2026/)\n- [10] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 02 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/02/2026/)\n- [11] [Becky Edwards (Utah politician)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becky_Edwards_(politician))\n- [12] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Tennessee)","firstname":"Rebecca","lastname":"Edwards","middlename":"Jane","suffix":null,"token":"MRQmpBWjXj"},"token":"rebecca_jane_edwards"},{"candidatename":"John Luke Bradley","chatgptsummary":"Bradley currently serves in the Shelby County Mayor\u2019s Office, connecting residents with resources and ensuring their voices are heard across county government. This role provides direct experience in constituent relations for a district of roughly 70,000 residents. As a lifelong Memphian from Orange Mound, he brings deep community roots to his advocacy work. His career is described as rooted in service, leadership, and advocacy for the communities that raised him. However, the biography does not indicate specific policy judgment on countywide matters such as budget or land use, nor does it detail experience with legislative drafting or the required UT CTAS continuing education.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"John Bradley is a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Commissioner District 10 in Tennessee, running in the election scheduled for May 5, 2026 [12]. He identifies as a lifelong Memphian who was born and raised in the historic Orange Mound neighborhood [12]. Currently, Bradley serves in the Shelby County Mayor\u2019s Office as an Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff [6]. In this capacity, his role involves connecting residents with county resources and ensuring their voices are heard within local government [12]. \n\nBradley has established a campaign website at votejohnbradley.com, where he describes his career as rooted in service, leadership, and advocacy for the communities that raised him [12]. The provided source materials do not contain information regarding his educational background, prior elected office history, or specific policy platforms beyond general statements about community service. Other individuals named John Bradley appear in public records, including a former Illinois state representative [2], a Kentucky legislative candidate [3], and a North Carolina local government candidate [4], but these are distinct from the Shelby County candidate. Additionally, a John Bradley serves as a Commissioner for District 5 in Lawrence County, Tennessee, which is a separate jurisdiction [8].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [John Bradley (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Bradley_(Tennessee))\n- [2] [John E. Bradley - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_E._Bradley)\n- [3] [John Bradley (Kentucky) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Bradley_(Kentucky))\n- [4] [John Bradley (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Bradley_(North_Carolina))\n- [5] [John Bradley Spring (Grand Tower Township Highway Commissioner (Jackson County), Illinois, candidate 2025) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Bradley_Spring_(Grand_Tower_Township_Highway_Commissioner_(Jackson_County),_Illinois,_candidate_2025))\n- [6] [Staff Directory \u2022 John Bradley](https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/directory.aspx?EID=1168)\n- [7] [ASHFORD, John Bradley | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives](https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/15032411664?current_search_qs=?id%3D33059&PreviousSearch=Search,LastName,,,,,False,False,False,,LastName&CurrentPage=21&SortOrder=LastName&ResultType=Grid&Command=25)\n- [8] [Introducing Lawrence County Commissioners \u2013 Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/news/introducing-lawrence-county-commissioners)\n- [9] [County Commissioners \u2013 Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/commissioners/)\n- [10] [Johnathan Bradley \u2013 Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/commissioners/district-5/)\n- [11] [John E. Bradley - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Bradley)\n- [12] [Vote John Bradley | District 10 | Memphis, TN, USA](https://www.votejohnbradley.com/)","firstname":"John","lastname":"Bradley","middlename":"Luke","suffix":null,"token":"w5RAjlQ3e1"},"token":"john_luke_bradley"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"10","districtgroup":"county_commission","districtgroupname":"County Commission","districtname":"District 10","job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission_district_10","office":"county_commission_district_10","officedescription":"Shelby County Commissioners are the 13 members of the county's legislative body. Each represents a single-member district, and together they pass resolutions and ordinances, approve the annual county budget, set the property-tax rate, and set countywide policy. They attend regular Monday commission meetings and Wednesday committee meetings and must complete at least seven hours of continuing education each year through the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).\n\n**Salary:** $34,900/year ([Action News 5, Dec 2021](https://www.actionnews5.com/2021/12/21/pay-raises-approved-elected-officials-shelby-county/)).","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, intergovernmental \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law and the Shelby County Charter.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes bond issues that span decades.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; chairing or sitting on committees that pre-screen items.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 70,000 residents \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commissioner District 10","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"County Commissioner District 10"}