{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Will Richardson","chatgptsummary":"Richardson\u2019s decades of entrepreneurship and operation of a home healthcare company provide direct experience with local economic development and service delivery models relevant to county budgeting and land use policy. His founding leadership in Men of Impact and organization of community aid efforts demonstrate established constituent relations within District 8. He has previously sought the District 8 commission seat, offering documented legislative process exposure through prior campaign participation.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nHis campaign platform, titled \"The Will to Lead,\" focuses on three core areas: public safety, education, and economic empowerment ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). Regarding public safety, he advocates for community-based policing, conflict resolution education for youth, and replacing the aging county jail with a modern facility ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). On education, he supports early childhood programs, improved literacy, and the return of vocational and trade programs ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/); [The Will to Lead](https://thewilltolead.com/)). Economically, he emphasizes revitalizing downtown Memphis, supporting minority-owned businesses, and holding corporations accountable for job creation ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He also champions government transparency and open meetings ([The Will to Lead](https://thewilltolead.com/); [Just My Memphis](https://justmymemphis.com/willrichardson)).\n\nRichardson received an endorsement from ChangeTN during the 2023 election cycle ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He also secured support from the Memphis Urban League for his bid\n\n## Career\nWill Richardson is a lifelong Memphian who has worked as an entrepreneur and business owner in Shelby County, Tennessee ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He founded and operates multiple businesses, including a home healthcare company that provides services to the elderly and disabled across the county ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). Per his campaign site, he has spent decades mentoring youth and coaching sports, as well as organizing community aid efforts such as water deliveries during crises ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He is also a founding leader of Men of Impact, an initiative focused on mentoring young men and fostering fatherhood ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)).\n\nRichardson is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He was raised by a single mother in North Memphis, where he learned values of hard work and perseverance ([About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)). He identifies as a husband, father, and grandfather ([Meet Will Richardson for State Representative District 86 - Memphis Urban League](https://memul.org/meet-will-richardson-for-state-representative-district-86/); [About Will - Will Richarson](https://thewilltolead.com/about-will/)).\n\n## Office history\nRichardson has sought elected office in Tennessee at both the state and county levels. In 2019, he ran for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 8 ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He later ran for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86, finishing fourth in the special Democratic primary held on January 24, 2023, with 8.1% of the vote ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)). He is currently running for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 8, appearing on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for May 5, 2026 ([Ballotpedia.org/Will Richardson](https://ballotpedia.org/Will_Richardson)).\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","firstname":"Will","lastname":"Richardson","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Hn0xAw7oA6"},"token":"will_richardson"},{"candidatename":"E. J. Murphy","chatgptsummary":"Not enough public information found to evaluate.","notes":"","party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- E. J. Murphy is a Republican candidate for Shelby County Commissioner, District 8. ([Election Commission](https://electionsshelbytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Petitions-Issued-as-of-COB-on-February-13-2026.pdf))\n\n[Murphy's Instagram campaign page](https://www.instagram.com/elect.murphy/)\n\n## Background and education\n- No biographical information regarding education is available in the provided sources.\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=MURPHY&id=103896&f=200444&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\n## Family\n- No biographical information regarding family is available in the provided sources.\n","firstname":"E.","lastname":"Murphy","middlename":"J.","suffix":null,"token":"r1DAnnoyFf"},"token":"e_j_murphy"},{"candidatename":"Jerred Price","chatgptsummary":"Price founded a roofing firm and co-owns a magazine, demonstrating small business management experience relevant to local economic policy. His tenure as a senior manager at Lowe\u2019s and store manager roles indicate operational oversight skills applicable to county service delivery. Community engagement is evidenced by his work with the Memphis City Beautiful commission and the Downtown Neighborhood Association, suggesting familiarity with constituent relations in District 8. However, the biography lacks specific details regarding budget literacy, legislative drafting experience, or knowledge of the Shelby County Charter.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n[https://www.jerredprice.com/](https://www.jerredprice.com/)\n\n[https://www.almostelton.com/](https://www.almostelton.com/)\n\n[https://www.facebook.com/jerredprice](https://www.facebook.com/jerredprice)\n\n[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerredprice/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerredprice/)\n\n[https://www.price-roofing.com/](https://www.price-roofing.com/)\n\n\n### Education ###\n\nArkansas Northeastern College - Business Administration & Management (2006-2008)\n\nBuffalo Island Central High School - Monette, Arkansas\n\n### Employment ###\n\nBluff City Magazine \u00b7 Co-Owner / Co-Editor (Feb 2023 - Present)\n\nPrice & Co. Roofing and Renovations - Founder/Owner (Feb 2021 - Present)\n\nNationwide Insurance - Field Claims Representative - (Feb 2013 - Oct 2015) \n\nLowe's Companies, Inc. - Senior Manager - Memphis - (May 2008 - Feb 2013)\n\nRadio Shack - Store Manager - Jonesboro, Arkansas (Aug 2007 - Mar 2008)\n\nMcDonald's Corporation - Memphis - Manager (Apr 2004 - Aug 2007)\n\n\n### Personal Statement ###\n\nI'm Jerred.  Some of you know me through my work as Commissioner of Memphis City Beautiful, some of you may know me through the Downtown Neighborhood Association.  And many of you know me through my music & my show \"Almost Elton John\". If you don't know me, I hope this website helps give you a little information about who I am and my passion for a better Memphis. \n\nI was raised in the housing projects with a single mom.  I knew early on, if I wanted something, I would have to work hard and put all my effort into reaching that goal.  But I also knew that you get out of the universe what you put into it.  So I guided my life with two mottos:  \"Be seen serving, don't serve to be seen\" and  \u201cLet's do all we can, for as many as we can, for as long as we can.\u201d\n\nToday, I am a successful entrepreneur and small business owner who knows the importance of small businesses in our community.  I want to fight for small businesses and our communities with the same drive that allowed me to accomplish my goals and allowed me to help others.  This city has so much opportunity, but we have to lift up EVERYONE from EVERY neighborhood for our city to reach its fullest potential. \n\nI hope you will see my proven track record of being a community servant, with proven results for the people.  Over many years, I have had the honor of working shoulder to shoulder with some amazing Memphians for some amazing causes.  I hope that you will elect me to represent you as your next councilman so I can continue to work with you all and help bring fresh ideas to Memphis and take our city to the next level.  Memphis has had enough of candidates who just show up when it's election time for their own personal benefit - let's change that this election!\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","firstname":"Jerred","lastname":"Price","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"qRRXxX5LWl"},"token":"jerred_price"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"8","districtgroup":"county_commission","districtgroupname":"County Commission","districtname":"District 8","job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission_district_8","office":"county_commission_district_8","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 8","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"County Commissioner District 8"}