{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Wanda Halbert","chatgptsummary":"Halbert served as Shelby County Clerk since 2018, managing financial controls for court costs and fines, though a 2025 audit found her office could not provide bank reconciliation records. Her background includes thirty-three years as an IT administrator at FedEx Services and prior service on the Memphis City Council and Board of Education. She holds organizational management studies from the University of Memphis. The bio does not indicate experience with criminal docket management, jury orders, or supervision of clerical staff handling high case volume and statutory deadlines.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWanda Halbert, a Democrat, currently serves as the Shelby County Clerk in Tennessee, an office she assumed in 2018 [1]. Her term is scheduled to end on September 1, 2026 [1]. In the lead-up to the 2026 elections, Halbert filed petitions to run for three county offices: her current position of Shelby County Clerk, as well as Shelby County Trustee and Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk [6][7][12]. This multi-office candidacy occurred despite term limits that prohibit a person from serving more than two consecutive terms in the clerk\u2019s office [7][12].\n\nHalbert appeared on the ballot for the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026 [1]. In the race for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk, she lost to Joe Towns Jr. by 121 votes [11][14]. For the Shelby County Clerk position, LaSonya Hall won the Democratic nomination to replace the outgoing Halbert [13]. The general election for these offices is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\nDuring her tenure, Halbert faced a long-standing ouster case filed by Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp, alleging willful neglect of duty [5][8]. After years of legal proceedings, including mediation and appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Halbert\u2019s request to appeal in March 2026, allowing the case to proceed [3][18]. A trial date was set for August 24, 2026, which would occur after her term expires [19]. Halbert has publicly defended her record, stating she is not interested in operating outside the law and that her office had previously raised concerns regarding financial matters that were never investigated [8][9].\n\n## Career\n\nBefore entering elected office, Wanda Halbert served as a legislator on the Memphis Board of Education from 2000 to 2007 [2]. She subsequently held a seat on the Memphis City Council from 2007 to 2015, becoming the second African American woman in the history of the City of Memphis to be elected to a city-wide office [2]. During her tenure as a councilwoman, she served as the president of the Memphis Chapter of Parents for Public Schools, a chartered national organization [2].\n\nHalbert was first elected as the Shelby County Clerk in 2018 and assumed office that year [1]. She was re-elected to a second term in 2022 [17]. Her current term is scheduled to end on September 1, 2026 [1]. During her time in office, Halbert has faced public scrutiny regarding administrative issues, including a backlog of license plate applications and allegations of poor management [15][16].\n\nIn response to these controversies, the State of Tennessee filed a petition in May 2024 seeking to remove Halbert from office due to alleged willful neglect of duty [5]. The legal proceedings involved multiple motions to dismiss, mediation attempts, and appeals that extended through 2025 and into 2026 [3][4][18]. In March 2026, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Halbert's request to appeal a ruling allowing the ouster case to proceed in trial court [18]. A trial date was set for August 24, 2026, though the outcome remains pending as her term approaches its end [19].\n\nDespite being term-limited from serving a third consecutive term as County Clerk, Halbert filed petitions in early 2026 to run for that position again, as well as for Shelby County Trustee and Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk [6][7]. In the Democratic primary held on May 5, 2026, she lost the nomination for Criminal Court Clerk to Joe Towns Jr. by a margin of 121 votes [11][14]. LaSonya Hall subsequently won the Democratic nomination for Shelby County Clerk, while Halbert's bid for County Trustee also did not secure the party's nomination [13].\n\n## Office history\n\nWanda Halbert served as a legislator on the Memphis Board of Education from 2000 to 2007 [2]. She was subsequently elected to the Memphis City Council in 2007, serving until 2015 [2]. During her tenure as a councilwoman, she held leadership roles including President of the Memphis City Schools\u2019 Board and President of the Memphis Chapter of Parents for Public Schools [2]. Halbert became the second African American woman elected to a city-wide office in Memphis history [2].\n\nHalbert was elected Shelby County Clerk in 2018, assuming office that year with a term ending on September 1, 2026 [1]. She was re-elected to a second consecutive term in 2022 [12]. Her responsibilities include managing county records and licensing, though her tenure has been marked by scrutiny over administrative backlogs and financial management concerns [15][16]. In August 2024, the State of Tennessee filed a petition seeking her removal from office due to alleged willful neglect of duties [5].\n\nThe ouster proceedings faced multiple legal hurdles. A Shelby County Circuit Court judge initially dismissed the case in November 2024, ruling that the county attorney lacked the authority to file it through a private firm [20]. However, the Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned this dismissal in October 2025, and the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Halbert\u2019s subsequent appeal in March 2026 [3][18]. The case proceeded to mediation in October 2025 before a trial date was set for August 24, 2026 [4][19]. Halbert has stated she will not apologize for her actions and intends to follow the law [9].\n\nDespite being term-limited from serving a third consecutive term as County Clerk, Halbert filed petitions in early 2026 to run for that office again, as well as for Shelby County Trustee and Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk [6][7]. In the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary, she lost the race for Criminal Court Clerk to Joe Towns Jr. by a margin of 121 votes [11][14]. She also lost the Democratic nomination for Shelby County Clerk to LaSonya Hall in the same primary [13].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nHalbert faced a significant legal challenge when Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp filed a petition in May 2024 to remove her from office for \"willful neglect to perform a duty enjoined upon the Shelby County Clerk by the laws of the State of Tennessee\" [5]. The petition was subsequently pursued by Shelby County Attorney Marlinee Iverson, who had initially filed the ouster case before disqualifying herself due to a conflict of interest and hiring a private law firm to continue the effort [20]. Halbert\u2019s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the petition, arguing that the statute did not allow a private firm to bring such a case after the county attorney disqualified herself [9][20].\n\nIn September 2024, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson dismissed the ouster petition, ruling that the court would not pursue default against Halbert and that the statute did not permit the manner in which the case was filed by the private firm [10][20]. However, the Tennessee Court of Appeals later overruled this dismissal in October 2025, allowing the case to move forward [18]. Halbert appealed this ruling to the Tennessee Supreme Court, but the court denied her request to appeal in March 2026, clearing the path for the case to return to trial court [3][18].\n\nFollowing the appeals court decision, the ouster case entered mediation in October 2025 before a trial date was set for August 24, 2026 [4][19]. Halbert publicly defended her record during this period, stating at a press conference that she was \"not going to apologize for not operating outside of the law\" and asserting that her office had repeatedly sounded the alarm regarding financial concerns that were never investigated by county or state entities [8][9].\n\nIn addition to the ouster proceedings, Halbert engaged in a contentious electoral dispute regarding term limits. Despite being term-limited from serving more than two consecutive terms as County Clerk under Section 5.25 of the county charter, Halbert pulled petitions to run for re-election to that office as well as for Shelby County Trustee and Criminal Court Clerk in the May 2026 primary [6][7][12]. She ultimately lost the Democratic nomination for Criminal Court Clerk by a margin of 121 votes to Joe Towns Jr. in the primary election [11][14].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Wanda Halbert - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Wanda_Halbert)\n[2] [About Your County Clerk | Shelby County, TN - Official Website](https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/558/About-the-County-Clerk)\n[3] [Ouster case against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert moving forward | News | fox13memphis.com](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/ouster-case-against-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert-moving-forward/article_6ce22d0a-41d6-4f3d-90b7-d5685ed23e49.html)\n[4] [Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert ouster case goes to mediation, court docs say](https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/10/14/judge-orders-mediation-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert-ouster-case/)\n[5] [Trial set for August for ouster case against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/ouster-case-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert-court/522-e39e9a85-597f-4949-93d0-ee025a8c548b)\n[6] [Wanda Halbert signals interest in 3 county races, including clerk](https://wreg.com/news/local/halbert-signals-interest-in-3-county-races-including-clerk/)\n[7] [Shelby County Clerk pulls multiple petitions despite term limit for county clerk](https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/17/shelby-county-clerk-pulls-multiple-petitions-despite-term-limit-county-clerk/)\n[8] [State files to remove County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office, Halbert speaks out](https://wreg.com/news/local/state-files-to-remove-wanda-halbert-from-office/)\n[9] [Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert publicly responds to petition that would remove her from office](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert-publicly-responds-to-petition-that-would-remove-her-from-office/522-22f20758-1b45-48d4-8a95-13812649313e)\n[10] [Motion to remove Shelby County Court Clerk Wanda Halbert denied](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/wanda-halbert-memphis-will-stay-in-office/522-98b0247d-d81e-4579-984d-a5ab591ab99b)\n[11] [Towns edges out Halbert by 121 votes in primary | WREG.com](https://wreg.com/news/your-local-election-headquarters/towns-edges-out-halbert-by-121-votes-in-primary/)\n[12] [Wanda Halbert pulls petitions for 3 county election races | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/elections/wanda-halbert-pulls-petitions-for-3-county-election-races/522-30c6c131-67d5-4ddd-8205-5332d90a4929)\n[13] [LaSonya Hall wins Democratic nomination for Shelby County Clerk | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/elections/primary-voters-decide-who-will-run-to-replace-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert/522-dd220766-5472-4833-9c2f-6876dad83c81)\n[14] [Joe Towns Jr. edges out Wanda Halbert for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk | News | fox13memphis.com](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/joe-towns-jr-edges-out-wanda-halbert-for-shelby-county-criminal-court-clerk/article_974e4e05-1837-4ff0-8077-39d4c22ad24b.html)\n[15] [Wanda Halbert wins in county clerk race despite recent controversy](https://www.actionnews5.com/2022/08/05/wanda-halbert-leads-county-clerk-race-despite-recent-controversy/)\n[16] [Otis Sanford Point of View: Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/opinion/opinion-otis-sanford-point-of-view-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert/522-b242b9bc-1609-49bd-9548-79966a62ce95)\n[17] [Judge denies motion to remove Wanda Halbert from office](https://wreg.com/news/local/judge-denies-motion-to-remove-clerk-wanda-halbert/)\n[18] [TN Supreme Court denies appeal to dismiss ouster case against Wanda Halbert | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/tn-supreme-court-denies-appeal-to-dismiss-ouster-case-against-wanda-halbert/522-17867126-69a3-4c18-b97b-5cd9e6ad87e2)\n[19] [Halbert ouster case could extend past her term in office](https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/05/01/halbert-ouster-case-could-extend-past-her-term-office/)\n[20] [Ouster case against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert dismissed](https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/11/20/ouster-case-against-shelby-county-clerk-wanda-halbert-dismissed/)","firstname":"Wanda","lastname":"Halbert","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"0BgMBmV6eV"},"token":"wanda_halbert"},{"candidatename":"Edquardo Jamison","chatgptsummary":"Jamison\u2019s prior role at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division suggests familiarity with law enforcement operations relevant to court security and docket management. His background may support administrative reliability in handling legally binding filings. However, the biography provides no evidence of experience managing criminal dockets, bond paperwork, or jury orders for felony trials. It does not indicate knowledge of Tennessee Rules of Civil/Criminal Procedure, fee schedules, or pleading requirements. The record lacks details on financial controls for collecting court costs, fines, restitution, bonds, and trust funds with public accountability.","notes":"","party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAs of the available records, Ballotpedia was gathering information regarding candidate endorsements for this race, but no specific endorsements have been publicly listed for Jamison ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)).\n\nJamison has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Consequently, there are no published campaign themes or policy positions available in the surveyed data ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)).\n\n## Background and education\nAvailable sources do not provide specific details regarding Jamison's educational history or academic credentials.\n\n## Career\nEdquardo Jamison is a Republican candidate running for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in Tennessee ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)). He is currently listed as a challenger in the 2026 election cycle, with no incumbent holding the seat ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)).\n\nProfessional background details are limited in public records. A LinkedIn profile associated with Jamison indicates prior involvement with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division, where supervisors and dispatcher supervisors expressed gratitude for his work alongside line staff ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edquardo-jamison-14b49392_the-shelby-county-sheriffs-office-patrol-activity-7319009172438614016-rO-k)).\n\nJamison is seeking the office of Criminal Court Clerk in Shelby County, Tennessee, which serves the Memphis metropolitan area ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)). He is registered as a Republican and appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for May 5, 2026 ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Edquardo_Jamison)). The general election for this position is set for August 6, 2026 ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Shelby_County,_Tennessee_(2026))).\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [Criminal Court Clerk (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=JAMISON&id=103883&f=198982&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":"Edquardo","lastname":"Jamison","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"DSz1a9jMBh"},"token":"edquardo_jamison"},{"candidatename":"Joe Towns, Jr.","chatgptsummary":"Legislative service on the Criminal Justice Committee and subcommittee provides direct exposure to statutory frameworks governing criminal courts. Business management experience demonstrates operational oversight capabilities relevant to supervising clerical staff handling high case volumes. Entrepreneurial background suggests familiarity with financial controls for collecting fees, fines, and bonds, though specific court trust fund protocols remain unverified. Academic credentials in Political Science and Operational Management offer theoretical grounding for understanding docket procedures and administrative reliability.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJoe Towns Jr. has represented Tennessee House District 84 (Memphis, southern Shelby County) since 1995 [1]. In the 2026 cycle he is separately seeking Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk: he won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary for that office, narrowly defeating incumbent Clerk Wanda Halbert by 121 votes - 19,329 to 19,208, each roughly 27.5% of a five-candidate field [2][3]. Towns advances to the August 6, 2026 general election for Criminal Court Clerk against Republican Edquardo Jamison [3]. Separately, Shelby County Election Commission petition-filing records show Towns also qualified as a Democratic primary candidate for his existing House District 84 seat, for the August 6, 2026 state primary [4]. The two candidacies are distinct races (a county general election and a state legislative primary) that happen to fall on the same date.\n\n## Background and education\nTowns was born May 4 in Memphis. He holds a B.A. in political science from LeMoyne-Owen College and an M.S. in operational management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is a member of Mississippi Boulevard Church [1].\n\n## Career\nTowns describes himself in his official legislative biography as a \"Business/Entrepreneur and Former College Instructor\" who operates a management, consulting, and entertainment company [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nFirst elected to the House in 1994, Towns has sponsored legislation aimed at reviving the Tennessee Horse Racing Commission and bringing horse racing back to Memphis, framed as a way to \"keep gambling dollars from slipping out of Shelby County\" [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Representative Joe Towns, Jr.](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/107GA/members/h84.html) - Tennessee General Assembly official biography, accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Towns edges out Halbert by 121 votes in primary](https://wreg.com/news/your-local-election-headquarters/towns-edges-out-halbert-by-121-votes-in-primary/) - WREG\n[3] [Joe Towns Jr. edges out Wanda Halbert for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/joe-towns-jr-edges-out-wanda-halbert-for-shelby-county-criminal-court-clerk/article_974e4e05-1837-4ff0-8077-39d4c22ad24b.html) - Fox13 Memphis\n[4] Petitions Issued and Filed as of COB March 9, 2026 - Shelby County Election Commission, https://electionsshelbytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Petitioins-Issued-and-Filed-as-of-COB-March-9-2026.pdf\n[5] [Towns trying to revive state horse racing commission](https://dailymemphian.com/article/3017/Towns-trying-to-revive-state-horse-racing-commission) - Daily Memphian","firstname":"Joe","lastname":"Towns","middlename":null,"suffix":"Jr.","token":"IZj74LVUJY"},"token":"joe_towns_jr"},{"candidatename":"Lawrence Denton Jr.","chatgptsummary":"Denton serves as Administrator of the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk\u2019s Office since 2018, having previously held the Director of Operations role within the same department. His twenty-year tenure as Supervisor in Pretrial Services demonstrates extensive experience supervising clerical staff handling high case volumes and statutory deadlines. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee Martin, providing foundational knowledge of court procedures and legal frameworks. Bio does not indicate specific experience managing financial controls for trust funds or detailed working knowledge of current fee schedules and pleading requirements.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"Lawrence Denton Jr. is a Democratic candidate for Criminal Court Clerk in Shelby County, Tennessee [7]. He currently serves as the Administrator of the Shelby County Government Criminal Court Clerk\u2019s Office for the 30th Judicial District [7]. Before his appointment as Administrator in September 2018, Denton worked as the Director of Operations within the same office, where he supervised and coordinated all sections of the Operations division [7]. He has held this operational role continuously since that time [7].\n\nPrior to joining the Criminal Court Clerk\u2019s administrative team, Denton spent 20 years as a Supervisor in Shelby County Government Pretrial Services [7]. During his tenure there, he assisted with the implementation of programs including the Day Reporting Center, Intensive Supervision, and Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring, which provided alternatives to incarceration for justice-involved individuals [7].\n\nDenton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1998 from the University of Tennessee Martin, majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology [7]. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and played percussion in the university's marching band [7]. He resides in Memphis, Tennessee, with his wife of 21 years, and they have raised a son and daughter [7]. In his personal time, he enjoys fishing, playing poker, and riding mountain bikes [7].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [3] [2026 Election United States Senate - Tennessee - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/TN/2026/)\n- [4] [Election Commission \u2013 Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/government/departments/election-commission/)\n- [5] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 05 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/05/2026/)\n- [7] [LAWRENCE DENTON | Criminal Court Clerk](https://www.criminalcourtclerkkuhn.com/lawrencedenton)\n- [8] [Lawrence Denton (237 matches): Phone Number, Email, Address - Spokeo](https://www.spokeo.com/Lawrence-Denton)\n- [9] [Lawrence Denton Phone, Address, Criminal Records | TruthFinder](https://www.truthfinder.com/people-search/lawrence-denton/)\n- [10] [ADMINISTRATION | Criminal Court Clerk](https://www.criminalcourtclerkkuhn.com/staff)\n- [11] [2026 Primary Candidates \u2014 Denton County Democratic Party](https://www.dentondemocrats.org/candidate-filing)\n- [12] [2026 Candidate Filings | Denton County GOP](https://dentongop.org/2026-candidate-filings/)\n- [13] [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/edquardo-jamison-14b49392/)","firstname":"Lawrence","lastname":"Denton","middlename":null,"suffix":"Jr","token":"4j6SUVrwz8"},"token":"lawrence_denton_jr"},{"candidatename":"Carla Stotts","chatgptsummary":"Stotts has contested three Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk primaries, securing 37.5% of the vote in 2018 and 29.8% in 2022 against incumbent Heidi Kuhn. She is currently a Democratic candidate in the May 5, 2026 primary field. The biography provides no evidence regarding her experience maintaining criminal court records, managing felony dockets, or handling bond paperwork. It does not document knowledge of Tennessee Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, fee schedules, or pleading requirements. There is no record of financial controls for collecting fines, restitution, or trust funds.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCarla Jean Stotts, also known as Carla Stotts Hills, was a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in the May 5, 2026 primary, running in a five-candidate field alongside Rheunte Benson, Lawrence Denton Jr., Wanda Halbert, and Joe Towns Jr. [1]. Towns won the Democratic nomination, edging out Halbert by 121 votes (27.53% to 27.36%) [2]; Stotts did not win the nomination [1][2].\n\n## Office history\nStotts previously ran for Criminal Court Clerk in the 2022 Democratic primary, finishing third with 29.8% of the vote (13,349 votes); incumbent Heidi Kuhn won with 44.8%, and Maerne Briggs Bernard finished second with 25.2% [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] Shelby County Election Commission, Candidate List for the May 5, 2026 Election, and [Recap of Shelby County Primary Election](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/recap-of-shelby-county-primary-election-and-whats-next-for-the-candidates/article_1f13e239-0c8f-48a5-8a7d-4dc673f95e98.html) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Joe Towns Jr. edges out Wanda Halbert for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/joe-towns-jr-edges-out-wanda-halbert-for-shelby-county-criminal-court-clerk/article_974e4e05-1837-4ff0-8077-39d4c22ad24b.html) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [Carla Jean Stotts - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Carla_Jean_Stotts) - accessed 2026-07-06","firstname":"Carla","lastname":"Stotts","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ehg1mf5epy"},"token":"carla_stotts"},{"candidatename":"Rheunte E. Benson","chatgptsummary":"As General Sessions Criminal Administrator, she holds thirty years of experience in court operations and leadership within Shelby County\u2019s criminal justice system. Her tenure includes managing high-volume docket workflows and supervising clerical staff handling frequent statutory deadlines. She has prioritized upgrading technology to implement e-filing systems and completing case-management infrastructure for the criminal division. This background demonstrates familiarity with court records, fee schedules, and administrative reliability required for maintaining legally binding filings.","notes":"","party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- Democratic candidate for **Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk** in the May 5, 2026 primary. ([SCEC Final Candidate List, May 5 2026](https://electionsshelbytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Final-Candidate-List-May-5-2026-Election.pdf))\n\n- General Sessions Criminal Administrator, Shelby County clerk's office. ([Commercial Appeal via Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/heres-running-general-sessions-court-110642666.html))\n- Listed in the National Association for Court Management *The Court Manager* new-members directory (Vol. 34, No. 3, Fall 2019) as \"Administrator of General Sessions Criminal Court, Memphis, Tennessee.\" ([NACM](https://thecourtmanager.org/new-members/?issue=vol-34-3-fall-2019))\n\nFrom her 2024 campaign, which focused on a closely related office:\n\n- Improving customer service and community access.\n- Upgrading technology, including e-filing. In 2024 she noted: *\"Shelby County (general sessions) is one of the largest court systems and we have yet to get into e-filing.\"* ([Commercial Appeal via Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/heres-running-general-sessions-court-110642666.html))\n- Completing a case-management system for the criminal division and advancing a new system for the civil division. ([Q&A](https://www.yahoo.com/news/shelby-county-general-sessions-court-110949557.html))\n\n---\n\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18. The 2026 race (Criminal Court Clerk) is a distinct office from her 2020 and 2024 runs (General Sessions Court Clerk). Education and family background were not located in online sources.*\n\n## Career\n- Per her own campaign statements, 30 years of experience in the General Sessions Court Clerk's Office / court operations and leadership. ([Commercial Appeal via Yahoo, Q&A](https://www.yahoo.com/news/shelby-county-general-sessions-court-110949557.html))\n\n## Office history\n- **2020 Democratic primary**, Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk \u2014 lost to incumbent Joe Brown. ([Commercial Appeal via Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/heres-running-general-sessions-court-110642666.html), [Memphis Flyer](https://www.memphisflyer.com/two-2020-races-generate-a-flood-of-candidates-in-shelby-county))\n- **2024 Democratic primary**, Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk \u2014 lost to Tami Sawyer in a multi-candidate field that included incumbent Joe Brown and Shelandra Ford. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Rheunte_Benson), [Tri-State Defender](https://tri-statedefender.com/incumbent-joe-brown-and-tami-sawyer-on-course-to-vie-for-general-sessions-court-clerk/11/15/))\n- Prior campaigns used [electbensonforclerk.com](https://electbensonforclerk.com/) and the Facebook page [facebook.com/BensonforClerk2020](https://www.facebook.com/BensonforClerk2020/). The campaign site was not reachable during this research.\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [Criminal Court Clerk (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENSON&id=86312&f=198103&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [General Sessions Court Clerk (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENSON&id=86312&f=172815&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [General Sessions Court Clerk (SS-8005 (Amended))](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BENSON&id=86312&f=172815&v=2) \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":"Rheunte","lastname":"Benson","middlename":"E.","suffix":null,"token":"fGsKWl6zwy"},"token":"rheunte_e_benson"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"shelby","districtgroup":"county","districtgroupname":"County","districtname":null,"job_type":"criminal_court_clerk","o.office":"criminal_court_clerk","office":"criminal_court_clerk","officedescription":"The Criminal Court Clerk maintains the records of the Criminal Court, which hears felony cases and appeals from General Sessions Court misdemeanors. Duties include receiving and indexing indictments and filings, preparing dockets and case files for the judges, managing the court's fine-and-cost collection, and maintaining public records of criminal dispositions.","officequalities":"- Maintains records of the Criminal Court (felony trial court). Manages the criminal docket, bond paperwork, and jury orders for criminal trials.\n- Records management for the court served by this clerk's office, in conformity with Tennessee Rules of Civil/Criminal Procedure and the orders of the assigned judges.\n- Working knowledge of the relevant court's docket, fee schedule, and pleading requirements.\n- Financial controls for collecting and disbursing court costs, fines, restitution, bonds, and trust funds \u2014 with public accountability.\n- Supervision of a clerical staff handling high case volume and frequent statutory deadlines.\n- Administrative reliability \u2014 the office's filings are legally binding and its records are evidence.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Criminal Court Clerk","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"Criminal Court Clerk"}