Friends of Labor
Who's Who — 2026

Running for United States Senate

A South Memphis environmental justice organizer who is and always has been a member and supporter of labor. Proudly endorsed by Memphis AFSCME Local 1733 — the union of the 1968 sanitation strikers. Running on a Pro-Worker Platform: strengthen public schools and invest in students and teachers; bold climate action and environmental justice; build a fair and equitable economy; invest in affordable housing; defend voting rights and end gerrymandering; universal affordable broadband; and expand Medicaid, save rural hospitals, and lower drug costs. “Leadership for Healthy and Safe Communities.”

Running for U.S. House of Representatives

Tennessee State Representative (District 86) running for Congress in TN-09. A movement leader who has stood on picket lines with Memphis workers from Kellogg's to Republic Services. Endorsed by Teamsters Local 667, SEIU Local 205, the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association, and the Working Families Party. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for U.S. House of Representatives

Two-term Mayor of Columbia and attorney running for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. The youngest mayor in Columbia's history, he has passed eight straight balanced budgets, invested in education and infrastructure, and built a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents in a county Trump carried by 45 points. A DCCC 'Red to Blue' priority candidate endorsed by former Congressmen Jim Cooper and John Tanner. General Election November 3; early voting October 14 – 29.

Running for U.S. House of Representatives

Sitting Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk and Democrat running for Congress in Tennessee's 8th District. “West Tennessee deserves a voice that works for us.” Focused on people, not politics: lower costs for families, support for farmers and rural communities, affordable healthcare, and good-paying jobs and economic growth. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Primary Election August 6.

Running for Governor of Tennessee

“One Tough Mother” for Tennessee Governor. Memphis City Councilmember, mom of three, lawyer, and public servant — raised in Memphis, educated in Knoxville, worked in Nashville. Her record: raised pay to $40K+, backed unions, cut gun theft 20%+, expanded Pre-K, and delivered relief for housing, transit, and utilities. Day One plan: affordable childcare, housing relief, and ending predatory medical debt for 100,000+ Tennesseans — without raising taxes. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Primary Election August 6.

Running for Tennessee State Senate

Pediatric chaplain, ordained minister, husband, and father who grew up on a farm in Hickman County, running for Tennessee State Senate District 31. His campaign is built on steadiness, compassion, and courage — “We stand on common ground” — with priorities of public education, healthcare, public safety, affordability, and common decency. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Tennessee State Senate

Incumbent State Senator for District 33 seeking re-election — the youngest woman and youngest African American ever elected to the Tennessee State Senate, Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and Chair of the Shelby County Delegation. Known as the conscience of the legislature, she has passed legislation advancing maternal health, human trafficking protections, criminal justice reform, and voting rights, and fights for strong schools, healthy families, and safe neighborhoods. “We must put people's priorities over politics.” Note: she is also running for Congress in TN-09 on the same ballot — see her entry in the Federal section. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Tennessee House of Representatives

Incumbent State Representative for House District 91 — South Memphis, Midtown, the University & Medical Districts, Soulsville, and Whitehaven. House Democratic Floor Leader, Chairman of the Shelby County Delegation, and a proud member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Proudly endorsed by the SEIU Tennessee State Council and Memphis AFSCME Local 1733. First elected in 2020, he has helped secure $193M+ for Memphis and Shelby County, delivered tax relief for seniors, and invested in Regional One Medical Center. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Tennessee House of Representatives

Community leader, minister, and President of the Memphis Juneteenth Festival running for Tennessee House District 96. Proudly endorsed by the Memphis Police Association. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Tennessee House of Representatives

Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools teacher and small business owner running for Tennessee House District 97. Endorsed by SEIU Local 205. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk

Memphis native and incumbent Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk seeking re-election. Elected in 2022 as the second African American woman to hold the office — following in the footsteps of her mother, trailblazer Janis Fullilove, the first. A trusted Memphis media voice for 30+ years (WMC-TV's Bluff City Life, 103.5 WRBO), University of Memphis alum, and women's health advocate, she brings compassionate, excellent, and efficient service to the families and youth of Shelby County. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Commissioner

Democratic nominee for Shelby County Commission, District 8. “Where there's a Will, there's a Way.” Endorsed by Memphis AFSCME Local 1733 and Teamsters Local 667. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Commissioner

Incumbent Shelby County Commissioner seeking re-election in District 12. A longtime Memphis educator and daughter of civil rights pioneer Judge Russell Sugarmon, she has been a consistent voice for working families on the County Commission. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Commissioner

Incumbent Shelby County Commissioner seeking re-election in District 7 — “Unbought and Unbossed.” A former Tennessee State Representative, she authored Tennessee's landmark Title VI enforcement legislation — the first of its kind in the nation — and her Department of Justice complaint forced a total overhaul of the Shelby County Juvenile Court system. Proudly endorsed by Teamsters Local 667. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Mayor

Shelby County Commissioner and Democratic nominee for Shelby County Mayor. Endorsed by Teamsters Local 667. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day Thursday, August 6.

Running for Shelby County Clerk

Accomplished public-sector executive running for County Clerk: modernized county operations with new accounting, procurement and HR systems; led pandemic response including the Whitehaven vaccination site; reconciled a $22M workforce grant with zero audit findings. Platform: reduce wait times, redesign clerk operations, and restore citizen trust. Early voting begins July 17; Election Day August 6.

Running for Shelby County Sheriff

Democratic nominee for Shelby County Sheriff. Proudly endorsed by Teamsters Local 667 — People, Purpose, Power. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Mayor of Dyersburg

A 29-year-old Dyersburg native, second-generation hog and cattle farmer, owner of Garrett Farms & Freight, member of the Black Cattleman Association of Dyer County, and volunteer firefighter. Running to fix the flooding that hits Dyersburg on every side, repair roads and bridges, un-monopolize the housing market and bring buildings up to code, modernize city government, and confront a murder and fentanyl overdose crisis that is unbearable for a community this size. “We All Will Govern Together.” Municipal General Election November 3; early voting October 14 – 29.

Running for Criminal Court Judge, Division One

“Decide on Dowdy” — running for Criminal Court Judge, Division One. Dedicated to justice for Shelby County. Proudly endorsed by Teamsters Local 667, the Afro American Police Association, and the National Bar Association Ben F. Jones Chapter. Election Day August 6.

Running for General Sessions Civil Court, Division 2

Memphis-born magistrate with nearly a decade of judicial experience, running for Judge of General Sessions Civil Court, Division 2. “Vote Proven with Purifoy.” Endorsed by Teamsters Local 667 & Retirees, the Memphis Police Association, the Afro American Police Association, the Ben F. Jones Chapter (Attorneys), the National Women's Political Caucus TN, ChangeTN, and the Pastors for Purifoy Circle. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for Chancery Court, Part 2

“Proven Leadership, Trusted Experience.” 27 years as Judge of General Sessions, Division 6, now running for Chancellor, Part II. Nominated “Best Judge of the Year” by the Memphis Bar Association (2021), presided over 9,000+ cases as trial judge, former Assistant City Attorney, and current President of the TN General Sessions Judges Conference. Proudly endorsed by Memphis AFSCME Local 1733. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.

Running for General Sessions Criminal Court, Division 7

“Better with Bachelor” — incumbent judge seeking to keep her seat on the General Sessions Criminal Court, Division 7. Election Day August 6.

Running for Circuit Court Judge, Division 3

“Keep Judge Frulla.” Incumbent Circuit Court Judge for Division 3 of the 30th Judicial District, appointed in August 2025 and sworn in that September to fill the vacancy left when Judge Valerie Smith was elevated to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. A former partner at Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell who worked in excavation and archaeological survey before entering the law, he is running to keep the seat for the unexpired term. Note: this nonpartisan race features two candidates listed in this guide. Early voting July 17 – August 1; Election Day August 6.