The 2026 Shelby County mayoral election will be held on August 6, 2026, to determine the mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee. The election will be held concurrently with primary elections for various state office primaries. Incumbent Democratic mayor Lee Harris, first elected in 2018, is term-limited and cannot seek a third term.
Democratic primary In February 2026, the Shelby County Democratic Party announced that the eligibility of several candidates, including former school superintendent Marie Feagins, had been referred to the Tennessee Democratic Party for a final determination on their bona fide status. Under state party bylaws, the TNDP has the authority to remove candidates from the primary ballot if they are found to be in violation of party membership requirements.
Nominee Mickell Lowery, Shelby County commissioner (District 8)
Defeated in primary Melvin Burgess, Shelby County property tax assessor Harold Collins, Shelby County chief administrative officer Marie Feagins, former school superintendent Heidi Kuhn, Shelby County Criminal Court clerk Rusty Qualls JB Smiley Jr., Memphis City Council member and candidate for governor in 2022
Withdrawn JW Gibson, former Shelby County commissioner and candidate for mayor of Memphis in 2023
Republican primary
Nominee
John DeBerry, former Democratic state representative from District 90 (1995–2021)
Disqualified Joe Brown, former county criminal court judge and reality television host
Independent candidates Disqualified Anthony Warr See also
2026 Tennessee county mayoral elections 2026 Tennessee elections
References