Memphis News: Historic Election Reshapes Local Leadership — Blackburn and Green Win Nods, New School Board Members Elected
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
Direct Answer
The Aug. 6 election produced major leadership changes across Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee and the Mid-South. Marsha Blackburn and Jerri Green won their respective Tennessee gubernatorial primaries, setting up an all-women general-election race; Mickell Lowery won the Shelby County mayor’s race; Anthony Buckner won the sheriff’s race; four Democrats secured MSCS school board victories; and Chaz Molder and Charlie Hatcher advanced in the 5th Congressional District after incumbent Andy Ogles lost the Republican primary.
Voter turnout was reported at approximately 23%, a historically low level for Shelby County. The results remain unofficial until certification by the Shelby County Election Commission and state election officials.
By Dr. Layne McDonald, Founder of Memphis News with a Purpose Beat: City & County Government / Politics
What Memphis and Tennessee Voters Decided
The biggest statewide headline is the November matchup between Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green. Blackburn won the Republican gubernatorial primary, while Green, a Memphis City Council member, won the Democratic nomination.
Tennessee is now positioned to elect its first woman governor. That is a historic milestone regardless of political affiliation. At the same time, the race will likely expose significant differences over taxation, education, public safety, state spending, abortion policy, economic development and the role of state government.
A healthy Christian civic culture does not require every voter to reach the same political conclusion. It does require honesty, humility and a willingness to hear the concerns of neighbors who see the same problems differently.
As Proverbs 18:17 reminds us, “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, till someone comes forward and cross-examines.” That principle applies to campaign promises as well as courtroom arguments.
Shelby County Chooses Lowery and Buckner
Mickell Lowery was elected Shelby County mayor, while Anthony Buckner won the sheriff’s race. Democrats also won the major contested county administrative offices reported after the election, including county clerk, register of deeds, assessor of property, trustee and circuit court clerk.
Lowery will face the challenge of managing county services, public health partnerships, the budget, economic development and cooperation between city and suburban governments. Supporters will look for continuity and effective administration. Critics and political opponents will expect measurable progress on spending, infrastructure, public safety and regional cooperation.
Buckner, previously part of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office leadership, will inherit responsibility for jail operations, court security, deputies and public trust. Supporters may view his experience as an asset. Others will want clear plans for accountability, staffing, detention conditions and cooperation with prosecutors, judges and law enforcement agencies.
The right response from residents is not blind loyalty or automatic suspicion. It is informed attention.
MSCS Board Changes Put Education in Focus
The Aug. 6 election was the first partisan election for Memphis-Shelby County Schools board seats. The winners reported were:
District 1: Michelle McKissack
District 6: T.L. Harris
District 8: Tanya Frey
District 9: Joyce Dorse Coleman
Harris and Frey defeated independent challengers, while McKissack and Dorse Coleman secured victories after winning their respective primary contests. No Republicans ran for the MSCS seats on the August ballot.
The partisan structure creates both opportunities and concerns. Supporters may argue that party labels make accountability clearer and help voters understand a candidate’s governing philosophy. Critics may worry that school board races should focus less on party identity and more on literacy, teacher retention, school safety, parental involvement and student achievement.
Both concerns deserve consideration.
School board members are not simply political representatives. They are stewards of children, families, teachers and public resources. Their decisions affect classroom culture, transportation, special education, school choice, discipline and the future workforce of Memphis.
For parents, the next step is to learn how each member intends to measure progress. Read our related community coverage on Memphis students and back-to-school support.
Suburban School Board Results
The suburbs also saw important school board developments, although many races were primary contests leading toward November.
In Bartlett, Republican incumbents Erin Elliott Berry and Bryan Woodruff won their party’s nominations. In Collierville, Mike Ebbs won the Republican primary for Position 2 and is expected to face Democrat James Morrison in November. Tom Bailey advanced unopposed for Position 4.
In Germantown, Heather Fisher and Vicki Gandee won unopposed Republican primaries for school board positions. Millington candidates also advanced without opposition in the August primary.
These results show how differently education governance can operate across the Memphis region. MSCS serves a large urban district, while suburban school systems have separate structures, priorities and political dynamics. Yet all districts face shared pressures: teacher recruitment, student attendance, academic recovery, technology costs and the need to prepare young people for work and citizenship.
The question for every district is simple but demanding: Are adults making decisions that genuinely serve students?
State Legislative and Congressional Primary Results
Most Shelby County state legislative incumbents survived their primaries, but several races produced notable outcomes.
Justin J. Pearson won the Democratic nomination for Tennessee House District 86. Raumesh Akbari won the Democratic nomination for Senate District 29, and London Lamar won the Democratic nomination for Senate District 33. Brent Taylor won the Republican nomination for Senate District 31, while David Weatherspoon won the Democratic nomination.
Telisa Franklin defeated incumbent Gabby Salinas in the Democratic primary for House District 96, making that one of the more significant state legislative upsets of the night.
In the 5th Congressional District, Chaz Molder won the Democratic primary with approximately 40.5% of the vote. Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent Andy Ogles in the Republican primary, receiving approximately 53.2% compared with Ogles’ 46.8%.
That sets up a Molder-Hatcher general-election contest. The race may attract national attention, but local voters will still be weighing practical questions: healthcare, agriculture, transportation, federal spending, public safety, veterans’ services and the economy.
See the Daily Memphian’s reported 5th District results and the official Shelby County Election Commission for certification updates.
Low Turnout Is the Story Behind the Story
Approximately 23% of eligible voters participated, according to local election coverage. That number is troubling because the election included countywide offices, a sheriff’s race, school board contests, congressional primaries and a historic gubernatorial matchup.
Low turnout does not mean the voters who participated were unimportant. Their votes count fully. But it does mean a relatively small share of the community helped choose leaders who will make decisions affecting everyone.
Why did turnout remain low? Possible explanations include voter fatigue, limited awareness of local races, confusion about primary and general-election rules, hot weather, competing schedules and distrust of government.
There is no single explanation that excuses disengagement. Churches, parents, civic groups, journalists and public officials all have a role in making local government easier to understand.
Memphis Growth: FedEx and Regional One Health
The election results arrived during a week of major development news.
FedEx filed a permit to begin groundwork for its planned Hercules sorting facility at Memphis International Airport. The full project is estimated at approximately $400 million and is expected to include a 1.6-million-square-foot, five-story automated facility capable of processing up to 250,000 packages per hour. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026, with a targeted opening around spring 2031.
Supporters see Hercules as a major investment in Memphis’ global logistics position and a sign that the World Hub remains central to FedEx’s future. Residents and civic leaders should also ask practical questions about construction effects, traffic, workforce needs, infrastructure demands and long-term economic benefits.
Regional One Health also released renderings for a new Union Avenue hospital campus at the former Commercial Appeal site. The proposed facility is described as approximately 600,000 square feet, with expanded trauma and burn services, a larger emergency department, women’s and infants services, rehabilitation and two helipads. Estimates place the project cost between $900 million and $1 billion, with a possible opening around 2030 or 2031.
Supporters say the campus could modernize critical care and create a stronger connection between Downtown and the Medical District. Skeptics are right to ask how the project will be financed, how costs will be controlled and how the new campus will affect existing services and surrounding neighborhoods.
Growth is good when it strengthens the common good. Growth deserves scrutiny when public resources and public trust are involved.
Christian Takeaway
The Bible does not tell Christians to withdraw from civic life. It calls us to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
Election results can tempt us toward celebration, fear or anger. A better response is responsibility. Pray for leaders by name. Study the issues. Refuse gossip. Tell the truth even when it complicates our preferred political story.
As Romans 13:1 teaches, governing authority carries responsibility before God. That means citizens should respect lawful leadership, but it also means leaders are accountable for how they use power.
For more on Christian clarity and thoughtful engagement, visit Memphis News with a Purpose.
How to Pray/Engage
Pray for wisdom, humility and courage for Mayor-elect Lowery, Sheriff-elect Buckner, the school board members and every candidate advancing to November.
Pray for students, teachers, parents and school leaders as a new academic year begins.
Read the certified election results instead of relying only on social media summaries.
Ask candidates specific questions about public safety, education, spending and neighborhood investment.
Encourage at least one family member, church member or neighbor to participate in the next election.
If political conversations become heated, pause before responding. Ask what concern is underneath the disagreement. A respectful question can open a door that an accusation closes.
Peacemaker’s Perspective
Memphis does not need citizens who are indifferent, and it does not need citizens who treat every disagreement as war. We need people who can tell the truth without humiliating their neighbors.
The 23% turnout is a call to greater participation. The leadership changes are a call to greater accountability. The development projects are a call to wise stewardship. The school board results are a call to put children ahead of political branding.
“Justice is not partisan, and compassion is not weakness.”
The November races will bring more debate. Let that debate be serious, factual and neighborly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Aug. 6 election results final?
No. The results reported after Election Day are unofficial until certified by the Shelby County Election Commission and applicable state election authorities.
Who won the Tennessee governor primaries?
Marsha Blackburn won the Republican primary, and Jerri Green won the Democratic primary. They are expected to meet in the November general election.
Who won the Shelby County mayor and sheriff races?
Mickell Lowery won the Shelby County mayor’s race, and Anthony Buckner won the sheriff’s race.
Who won the MSCS school board seats?
The reported winners were Michelle McKissack in District 1, T.L. Harris in District 6, Tanya Frey in District 8 and Joyce Dorse Coleman in District 9.
What happened in the 5th Congressional District?
Chaz Molder won the Democratic primary. Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent Andy Ogles in the Republican primary. Molder and Hatcher are positioned to compete in the general election.
What major development projects were reported this week?
FedEx filed a permit for groundwork connected to its planned $400 million Hercules sorting facility at Memphis International Airport. Regional One Health also released renderings for a proposed new hospital campus on Union Avenue.
Call to Action
Before the November election, verify your registration, review the certified results and choose one local issue: schools, public safety, healthcare or economic development: to study carefully. Then discuss it with your family, church or neighborhood group in a spirit of truth and peace.
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