Crowded Shelby County Mayoral Race Draws Early Interest

Voters express priorities like education and public safety despite limited knowledge of candidates

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The crowded race for Shelby County mayor is attracting early attention from potential voters compared to previous elections, though most admit they know little about the candidates ahead of the May primary. While awareness of specific candidates remains low, voters expressed clear priorities for the next county leader, including improving education and reducing crime.

Why it matters

The Shelby County mayoral race is an important election that will shape the future direction of the county, which includes the city of Memphis. Voter engagement and turnout are typically low in county elections, so understanding early voter sentiment and priorities can provide insights into the key issues that will drive the campaign.

The details

The race currently has eight Democratic and four Republican candidates planning to run in the May 5th primary. While some voters mentioned specific candidates like Marie Feagins, JB Smiley, and Mickell Lowery, many said they had not researched the field extensively. Top priorities for voters include improving the county's education system, reducing crime and addressing repeat offenders, as well as healthcare reform and immigration enforcement.

  • The qualifying deadline for the mayoral race is February 19th, 2026.
  • The Shelby County primary election is scheduled for May 5th, 2026.

The players

Marie Feagins

A Democratic candidate for Shelby County mayor.

JB Smiley

A Democratic candidate for Shelby County mayor.

Mickell Lowery

A Democratic candidate for Shelby County mayor.

Rusty Qualls

A Republican candidate for Shelby County mayor and a former coworker of one of the voters interviewed.

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What they’re saying

“I did hear very recently that Marie Feagins is supposed to be in the race, and I kind of would gravitate moreso towards her.”

— Dominic Thordarson, East Memphis resident (Action News 5)

“One of my old coworkers Rusty Qualls is running for, I think county. I'm voting for him.”

— Danzel McKinley-Lewis, East Memphis resident (Action News 5)

“JB Smile and Mr. Lowery, I believe those candidates catch my eye the most.”

— Robert King, Unincorporated Shelby County resident (Action News 5)

What’s next

The qualifying deadline for the Shelby County mayoral race is February 19th, 2026, after which the full slate of candidates will be known. The primary election is scheduled for May 5th, 2026.

The takeaway

Despite limited awareness of the specific candidates, the early interest in the Shelby County mayoral race suggests voters are engaged and have clear priorities they want the next county leader to address, particularly around education and public safety. Increasing voter education and turnout will be crucial for ensuring the winner reflects the community's needs.