Former Shelby County Clerk Joe Brown Pulls GOP Petition for Mayor

Brown previously ran as a Democrat and independent, now eyes Republican bid for county's top job.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 3:55am

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According to Shelby County Election Commission records, former Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Joe Brown has pulled a petition to run as a Republican candidate in the upcoming Shelby County mayoral race, though he has not yet officially filed it.

Why it matters

Brown's potential Republican candidacy adds an interesting twist to the Shelby County mayoral race, as he has previously run as a Democrat and independent. His move to the GOP ticket could shake up the dynamics of the election.

The details

Brown served as Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk in 2020 as a Democrat and later ran as an independent candidate for Memphis mayor in 2023. Currently, four Republicans are potentially running for Shelby County mayor, with only one, John J. DeBerry Jr., having officially filed a petition and submitted enough signatures to qualify.

  • Brown pulled the petition on February 17, 2026.

The players

Joe Brown

Former Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk who is now eyeing a run for Shelby County mayor as a Republican.

John J. DeBerry Jr.

One of the four Republican candidates for Shelby County mayor who has officially filed a petition and submitted enough signatures to qualify.

Shelby County Election Commission

The local election authority that maintains records on candidate petitions and filings.

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What’s next

The Shelby County Election Commission will continue to monitor the mayoral race as candidates file their official petitions and submit signatures.

The takeaway

Brown's potential shift to the Republican party for his mayoral run adds an interesting dynamic to the Shelby County election, as voters will have to weigh his past as a Democrat and independent against his new GOP affiliation.