5 candidates vie for Shelby County Mayor as voter turnout remains a mystery during primary elections

“I think we might see, for the first time in a long time, a little higher turnout as a result of that,” Sanford said.

Sanford said that while turnout percent has hovered in the low teens in recent elections, this year could see a modest increase.

“I’m not saying it’s going to reach 20 percent, I don’t think it will, but it should go higher than 13 percent,” he said.

The list of mayoral hopefuls includes both current and former elected officials, all bringing a mix of experience and priorities to the campaign trail.

Former county commissioner and businessman J.W. Gibson said his campaign is focused on four pillars: education, safety, healthcare, and economic development with the focus around workforce development.

Memphis City Council member JB Smiley, Jr., the youngest candidate in the race, said he is concerned about the burden of rising taxes and inequities in law enforcement benefits.

“We’re increasing taxes to the extent that we’re making it hard for the folks who live in various communities to live,” Smiley said. “We have to make sure we’re balancing the budget to the extent that we’re not driving people away. I think we have to focus on that.”

Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery said his mayoral bid centers on strengthening public safety, healthcare access, job creation, and education systems tailored to individual student needs.

Harold Collins, chief administrative officer for Shelby County and a longtime county employee emphasized the importance of environmental quality, public safety, and improving the education system as the base for his campaign.

“Not only in our sister cities but also in Memphis Shelby County Schools, that’s why we’re focused on building new schools in the core,” Collins said. “Our children need, and the core need to understand and realize that they can experience a healthy, safe environment in school that’s challenging and that’s 21st century.”