{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"John Cameron","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":"","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohn Cameron is a candidate for General Sessions Civil Court Judge, Division 2 in the 2026 Tennessee election.\n","firstname":"John","lastname":"Cameron","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"UEsSpZuyvi"},"token":"john_cameron"},{"candidatename":"Shayla Nicole Purifoy","chatgptsummary":"Shayla Nicole Purifoy's nearly decade-long tenure as a Magistrate and Judicial Commissioner demonstrates direct experience with civil claims, evictions, and collections relevant to General Sessions Civil Court Division 2. Her background includes handling high-volume cases involving pro se litigants and applying procedural law in Shelby County. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or ethical controversy. Bio does not indicate prior appellate judicial experience or specific legislative drafting experience.","notes":"","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMagistrate Shayla Purifoy currently serves in her judicial capacity and is running for election as Judge of General Sessions Civil Court Division 2 in Shelby County, Tennessee [2]. Her campaign committee, the Committee to Elect Shayla Purifoy, promotes a platform centered on fairness, impartiality, and respect, with the slogan \"Proven with Purifoy\" [2]. Purifoy describes herself as prepared for the role based on nearly a decade of judicial experience, noting that her background includes handling evictions, personal injury cases, collections, and emergency mental health commitments [10].\n\nThe 2026 election cycle includes a primary period from July 17 to August 1, with the general election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [4][6]. Purifoy is seeking to succeed Judge Phyllis B. Gardner, who retired from Division 2 and endorsed Purifoy\u2019s candidacy [14]. The Commercial Appeal noted that while many Shelby County races would face challengers in the August general election, several were effectively settled during the May primary period [3].\n\nCampaign activities have included community engagement events such as \"Conversations on the Veranda\" and meet-and-greets in neighborhoods like Douglass North Memphis [7][11]. Purifoy has received endorsements from notable local figures, including long-serving Shelby County Commissioner Walter Bailey- and retired Judge Phyllis B. Gardner [4][14]. The campaign continues to solicit volunteer support and financial contributions through its official website and social media channels as the election approaches [8][13].\n\n## Background and education\n\nShayla Nicole Purifoy is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where she grew up in the Frayser neighborhood [5]. She attended Memphis Central High School before pursuing higher education at Rhodes College and the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law [5]. During her time at Rhodes College, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban Studies [12]. She subsequently received her Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis [12].\n\n## Career\n\nPurifoy earned a Bachelor of Arts in urban studies from Rhodes College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law [5]. She began her legal career providing free civil legal representation through Memphis Area Legal Services [5]. In 2016, she was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner by the Board of Shelby County Commissioners, a role in which she arraigned defendants, decided order of protection hearings, and set bonds [11].\n\nPurifoy served as a Magistrate on General Sessions Civil Court Division 2 in Shelby County for nearly a decade prior to her current campaign [2]. In this capacity, she presided over cases involving evictions, personal injury, collections, and emergency mental health commitments [10]. Her judicial record includes the opinion *Shayla Nicole Purifoy v. Devine Mafa*, issued by the Tennessee Court of Appeals in 2017 [1].\n\nA recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals award in 2019, Purifoy has been active in professional organizations such as the Historically African American Bar Association [12]. She is a Memphis native who grew up in the Frayser neighborhood and attended Memphis Central High School [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nShayla Nicole Purifoy was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner by the Board of Shelby County Commissioners in 2016 [12]. In this role, she arraigned defendants, decided order of protection hearings, and set bonds [12]. She later served as a Magistrate for General Sessions Civil Court, Division 2, in Shelby County, Tennessee [2]. During her tenure as Magistrate, Purifoy handled cases involving evictions, personal injury, collections, and emergency mental health commitments [10].\n\nPurifoy is currently running to be elected as the Judge of General Sessions Civil Court, Division 2. The general election for this position is scheduled for August 6, 2026, with early voting occurring from July 17 through August 1 [4][6]. As of today, the outcome of this election is unknown.\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nAs a sitting Magistrate and Judicial Commissioner for Shelby County, Purifoy\u2019s legislative record is not applicable, as these are judicial rather than legislative offices [12]. In her role as a Judicial Commissioner appointed by the Board of Shelby County Commissioners in 2016, she arraigned defendants, decided order of protection hearings, and set bonds [12]. As Magistrate for General Sessions Civil Court Division 2, she presides over civil matters including evictions, personal injury cases, collections, and emergency mental health commitments [2], [10].\n\nPurifoy has not sponsored legislation or served on legislative committees during her judicial tenure. Her professional focus has centered on judicial administration and community engagement rather than statutory lawmaking. She self-describes her approach as demonstrating fairness, impartiality, and understanding, asserting that everyone deserves to be treated with respect [2]. During her campaign for the judgeship, she has emphasized her \"nearly a decade of judicial experience\" as a key qualification for the role [10].\n\n## Family\n\nMagistrate Purifoy is married to Fish Moges [9]. Her mother is Angela Barksdale [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Shayla Nicole Purifoy v. Devine Mafa](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/opinions/2017/09/28/shayla-nicole-purifoy-v-devine-mafa)\n[2] [Committee to Elect Shayla Purifoy, General Sessions Civil Court, Division 2, Shelby County, TN](https://www.voteshayla.com/)\n[3] [While many candidates will face challengers in the August Shelby ...](https://www.facebook.com/commercialappeal/posts/while-many-candidates-will-face-challengers-in-the-august-shelby-county-general-/1999874990916588/)\n[4] [Magistrate Shayla Purifoy is honored to receive the endorsement of ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYMyImpknj4/)\n[5] [Meet Magistrate Shayla Purifoy. She is Memphis born ... - Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUTl_cFkVyN/)\n[6] [Shayla for Shelby! Proven with Purifoy! From the (Frayser) Bay to the ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWyaq5RBHPf/)\n[7] [A Mother's Day sneak peek of Conversations on the Veranda with ...](https://www.facebook.com/shaylapurifoy/videos/a-mothers-day-sneak-peek-of-conversations-on-the-veranda-with-magistrate-shayla-/819825284524302/)\n[8] [Shayla Purifoy, Magistrate on Instagram: \"Thank you for your belief ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWmbOT3ExXh/)\n[9] [I met a great couple today and she's running for JUDGE of general ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DR-13QMFzOG/)\n[10] [With nearly a decade of judicial experience, Magistrate Shayla ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTj2nvNjb00/)\n[11] [So today Magistrate Shayla Purifoy pulled down on me in Douglass ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXvC3c8jPAN/)\n[12] [Cynthia Daniels & Co. - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaDanielsCo/posts/top-40-under-40-urban-elite-professionals-awardee-16-is-shayla-nicole-purifoy-sh/2537644126492684/)\n[13] [the Committee to Elect Shayla Purifoy.](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWmiY-Hk_xt/)\n[14] [Magistrate Shayla Purifoy endorsed by Judge Phyllis B. Gardner for ...](https://www.facebook.com/shaylapurifoy/posts/magistrate-shayla-purifoy-is-honored-to-receive-the-endorsement-of-judge-phyllis/122172759278953167/)","firstname":"Shayla","lastname":"Purifoy","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"6OKieXdOTT"},"token":"shayla_nicole_purifoy"},{"candidatename":"Marcy Ingram","chatgptsummary":"Marcy Ingram's biography shows she currently serves as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2, presiding over civil suits and landlord-tenant cases since her September 2025 appointment. She previously worked as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission and Attorney's Office. The record contains no mention of disciplinary actions or controversies. Bio does not indicate prior judicial experience before 2025 or extensive trial litigation experience outside the county commission role.","notes":"","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMarcy Ingram serves as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2 in Shelby County [1][3]. She was appointed to the bench by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and sworn in by Mayor Lee Harris on September 5, 2025 [5]. Prior to her judicial appointment, Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission [4].\n\nIn 2026, Ingram is a candidate for re-election to the position of General Sessions Civil Court Judge Division 2. She is running as a member of the Republican Party in Shelby County.\n\n## Background and education\n\nMarcy Ingram serves as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2 in Shelby County [1]. She was appointed to this position by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and sworn in by Mayor Lee Harris in September 2025 [5]. Prior to her judicial appointment, Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission [4].\n\n## Career\n\nMarcy Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission [4]. She was appointed to the bench of General Sessions Civil Court Division 2 by the Board of Commissioners in September 2025, succeeding a tenure with the Shelby County Attorney\u2019s Office where she was noted for her integrity [5].\n\nIn her current role as a judge, Ingram presides over civil law suits, forcible entry detainers, interpleaders, and other matters within the Civil Division of the General Sessions Court [3]. She is also listed in the staff directory for General Sessions Courts under the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nMarcy Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission prior to her judicial appointment [4]. She was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to serve as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2 in Shelby County [5]. The appointment was formalized and she was sworn in by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on September 5, 2025 [5]. In this role, she presides over civil law suits, forcible entry detainers, interpleaders, and other matters within the Civil Division of the court [3].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nMarcy Ingram has served as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2 in Shelby County [1][3]. Her appointment to this judicial position was confirmed by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and sworn in by Mayor Lee Harris in September 2025 [5]. Prior to her elevation to the bench, Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Commission [4].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain specific information regarding notable bills sponsored, legislative votes, committee assignments, or detailed policy positions during her tenure.\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMarcy Ingram serves as a General Sessions Civil Court Judge for Division 2 in Shelby County [1][2]. Her appointment to this judicial position was made by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and formally sworn in by Mayor Lee Harris on September 5, 2025 [5]. Prior to her elevation to the bench, Ingram served as an attorney for the Shelby County Attorney\u2019s Office [4].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain specific details regarding Ingram\u2019s personal business interests, family wealth sources, private ownership stakes, or significant financial disclosure facts.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Staff Directory \u2022 Marcy Ingram](https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/directory.aspx?EID=1286)\n[2] [Marcy Ingram | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/marcy-ingram)\n[3] [Staff Directory \u2022 Marcy Ingram](http://gs4.shelbycountytn.gov/directory.aspx?EID=3)\n[4] [Marcy Ingram named Shelby County Commission attorney](https://dailymemphian.com/article/1042/Marcy-Ingram-named-Shelby-County-Commission-attorney)\n[5] [Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris's post](https://www.facebook.com/MayorLeeHarris/posts/the-board-of-commissioners-made-the-right-choice-appointing-marcy-ingram-to-gene/1398110712122891/)","firstname":"Marcy","lastname":"Ingram","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"4mbn59JF3S"},"token":"marcy_ingram"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"shelby","districtgroup":"county","districtgroupname":"County","districtname":null,"job_type":"general_sessions_judge","o.office":"general_sessions_civil_court_judge_div_2","office":"general_sessions_civil_court_judge_div_2","officedescription":"A general-sessions judge presides over a high-volume lower court \u2014 misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, small civil claims, and landlord-tenant matters. Many litigants appear without lawyers.","officequalities":"- General-Sessions civil-court judge: hears civil claims under the statutory cap (currently $25,000), landlord-tenant cases, and small claims \u2014 high volume, often pro se litigants.\n- Judicial temperament: the willingness to listen, deliberate, and apply the law dispassionately to people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome.\n- Impartiality and ethics under the Tennessee Rules of Judicial Conduct, including disqualification when conflicts arise.\n- Working knowledge of the substantive and procedural law applied in the assigned court (cited per court below) and the published precedent that controls.\n- Docket management \u2014 moving cases efficiently while honoring due process and the time pressures that fall on litigants and witnesses.\n- Clear written and oral explanation of rulings, so the parties and the public can follow the reasoning.","officeterm":8,"officetitle":"General Sessions Civil Court Judge Div 2","partisan":0,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"General Sessions Civil Court Judge Division 2"}