{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Mickell M. Lowery","chatgptsummary":"Chairman Lowery's twenty-year tenure at FedEx in executive roles and his Master's in Operations Management demonstrate relevant business leadership skills for managing a large county budget. His long service on the Shelby County Commission provides direct familiarity with local governance structures and intergovernmental coordination. The biography documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate experience in criminal justice administration or crisis management during emergencies.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nChairman Lowery was elected to the County Commission on August 2, 2018, to represent the constituents of District 8 which includes areas of Downtown, Frayser, South Memphis, and Central Gardens.\n \nMickell, the son of former Memphis City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery, holds a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Business from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Master\u2019s Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.\n \nChairman Lowery is a strong supporter of our community, serving on numerous boards, including the Board of Trustees for LeMoyne-Owen College, Board Member for New Memphis, and Board of Directors for the Fire Museum of Memphis. He is the Past-President of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and has been a youth football coach for 13 years; in the Collierville Youth Association, Bartlett Youth Association, and Whitehaven Youth Association, despite not having a child or family member on any of his teams. Mickell has been a youth mentor for Charjean Elementary School and has helped to implement after-school tutoring programs at Georgian Hills Elementary, Sheffield Elementary, Treadwell Middle School, and Kingsbury High School with the A+ Learning Academy. He is the former President and Vice President of the National Alumni Association of LeMoyne-Owen College. Mickell Lowery the past Chairman of the Board of the Memphis Housing Authority and was elected to the Democratic State Executive Committee in Senate District 29 with more than 12,000 votes.\n \nMany awards have been bestowed upon him. Among them are Memphis Business Journal\u2019s Top 40 Under 40, and Ebony Magazine\u2019s Top 30 Under 30. Additionally, Mickell has been recognized for his extensive community service and professional accomplishments by Diversity MBA Magazine and Memphis Crosswords Magazine. Commissioner Lowery is a graduate of Leadership Tennessee, Leadership Memphis Executive Class, New Memphis Fellow / Leadership Development Institute, and alumni of Nexus Leadership.\n \nChairman Lowery has been employed with FedEx for over 20 years and has held positions in Global Product Marketing, IT Strategy management, and U.S. Sales. He currently serves as a Managing Director and is the recipient of the FedEx Five Star Award which is given each year to the top two percent of employees as well as the FedEx Sales Ambassadors Award, given to the top 10% of sales leaders in the corporation.\n \nMickell and his wife, Chonisa, have three daughters, Channise, Myla, and Milan.\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=LOWERY&id=61953&f=191003&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2025** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=LOWERY&id=61953&f=181971&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=LOWERY&id=61953&f=175912&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":"Mickell","lastname":"Lowery","middlename":"M.","suffix":null,"token":"1B3ee7PQY8"},"token":"mickell_m_lowery"},{"candidatename":"John J. Deberry Jr.","chatgptsummary":"John J. Deberry Jr.'s biography shows over two decades in the Tennessee State House, including twelve years as a committee chairman and recent service as a senior advisor to Governor Bill Lee, demonstrating legislative negotiation skills and intergovernmental experience relevant to the County Mayor role. Records indicate he was removed from the Democratic Party ballot in 2020 after voting against party positions on social issues. Bio does not indicate executive management of a consolidated county budget or direct familiarity with Shelby County Charter procurement rules.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- None listed in sources.\n\n- Republican candidate for Shelby County Mayor. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Officially announced his candidacy on February 12, 2026, after filing a petition. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Received the full support of the Republican Party of Shelby County. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Previously considered running for Tennessee governor, traveling the state to gauge support before being asked by Shelby County GOP leaders to run for mayor. ([Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/article/60291))\n\n## Background and education\n- Graduate of Freed-Hardeman University. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Graduate of the University of Memphis. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n\n## Office history\n- Served in the Tennessee State House representing District 90 for more than two decades, from the 99th through 107th General Assemblies. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Served as a committee chairman for 12 years. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Appointed senior advisor to Governor Bill Lee in November 2020; stepped down from this role to focus on his mayoral campaign. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n\n- Previously served as a Democrat. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Was removed from the Democratic Party ballot in 2020 by the Tennessee Democratic Party's executive committee; ran as an independent but lost to Torey Harris. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Known for voting against his former party on issues including abortion, school choice, and a controversial school voucher bill in 2020. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Gained national attention in 2018 for introducing a bill to ban fraternities and sororities on Tennessee college campuses. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Mayor (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=DEBERRY, JR.&id=10628&f=199880&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2025** \u2014 [Member-Governors Cabinet (SS-8004)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8004.htm?name=DEBERRY, JR.&id=10628&f=189792&v=1) \u2014 filed as a state official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [Member-Governors Cabinet (SS-8004)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8004.htm?name=DEBERRY, JR.&id=10628&f=180063&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\n## Family\n- Wife Maria. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n\n- Described as a pastor. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Age 75 as of February 2026. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n- Has a history with the Civil Rights Movement, stating he marched with his father alongside Dr. King, and has met with civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. ([Local Memphis](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/meet-the-candidates-john-deberry-jr-the-former-democrat-running-as-a-republican/522-3e1794d5-9f2a-45ea-ba7e-c95aeedb98be))\n\n\n\n---\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18.*\n","firstname":"John","lastname":"Deberry","middlename":"J.","suffix":"Jr","token":"LJiZrt6ock"},"token":"john_j_deberry_jr"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"shelby","districtgroup":"county","districtgroupname":"County","districtname":null,"job_type":"county_mayor","o.office":"county_mayor","office":"county_mayor","officedescription":"The County Mayor's Office is the governing branch of Shelby County's administration. It is responsible for overseeing the following divisions:\nAdministration and Finance\nCommunity Services\nCorrections\nDisproportionate Minority Contact\nHealth Services\nInformation Technology Services\nPlanning and Development\nPublic Defender\nPublic Works\nIt is also responsible for overseeing the Mayor's Action Center and the county's Public Affairs Office.\nThe Mayor's office is term-limited to two consecutive terms.\nThe Mayor is paid $210,000 per year.","officequalities":"- Executive management of a metropolitan county government of roughly 910,000 residents and a billion-dollar-plus consolidated budget across health, public works, corrections, the Sheriff's Office (administrative side), and many smaller departments.\n- Ability to negotiate and defend an annual budget before a 13-member County Commission.\n- Intergovernmental capacity: coordinating with the City of Memphis, six suburban municipalities, the State of Tennessee, and federal agencies, especially on shared services like MATA, MLGW, EDGE, and the Health Department.\n- Working familiarity with Tennessee county-government law, the Shelby County Charter, open-meetings, and procurement rules.\n- Public-facing communication and crisis-management skills for a large, diverse, news-attentive county.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Mayor","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Mayor"}