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← Back to Shelby County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-05-05

Contest for Assessor of Property

County Shelby County
primary - Partisan - Assessor of Property

About this office

The Shelby County Assessor of Property locates, identifies, classifies, and appraises all real and personal property in the county for tax purposes. The office runs the state-mandated quadrennial reappraisal (next cycle: 2029), appraises personal property annually, and maintains approximately 353,000 real-estate parcels. The Assessor does not set the tax rate, send tax bills, or collect taxes — those duties belong to the County Commission (rate), the Trustee (collection), and the Clerk (registration-linked functions).

Term length: 4 years.

Campaigns

Democratic Primary 4 candidates
Michael O. Harris

Michael O. Harris

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Michael O. Harris is a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Assessor of Property. Currently serving as President and CEO of the Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority since July 2022, Harris brings significant experience in local government administration and land management to his campaign. His professional background includes leadership roles within civic organizations, such as Vice President of the 100 Black Men of Memphis and former President of the Rotary Club of Whitehaven Memphis-South. He also serves on the board of ProGeny Place and has a history of community engagement, including launching a deaf-led advisory board for Deaf Connect and creating mentoring programs at Haven Middle School. Harris is a U.S. Navy veteran and an alumnus of Bishop Byrne and the University of Memphis. He identifies as a father to two daughters. His campaign emphasizes his administrative expertise and commitment to community service, leveraging his current role in overseeing land bank operations to address property assessment issues. Voters can follow his campaign updates via social media platforms under the handle @michael_o_harris. The Tennessee Ethics Commission lists him as a Shelby County official and candidate for the 2026 election cycle. His record highlights a focus on civic involvement and public service through various nonprofit and educational initiatives in the Memphis area.
Written by AI (ChatGPT) based on information found via automated internet search for public information
Sonya N. Murphy

Sonya N. Murphy

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Sonya N. Murphy is a Democratic candidate running for the office of Assessor of Property in Shelby County, Tennessee. As she seeks this position, her candidacy is currently defined by her status as a local official and candidate navigating the state’s ethical disclosure requirements. In 2026, Murphy filed a Statement of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission, identifying herself as both a Shelby County official and a candidate for Property Assessor. This filing serves as the primary public record available regarding her professional background and potential conflicts of interest at this time. The provided biographical material does not include detailed information about Murphy’s prior employment history, educational background, or specific policy platforms related to property assessment methodologies, tax equity, or administrative reform. Consequently, there are no notable record items or distinct platform themes to highlight from the source text. Similarly, the available data does not describe any prominent public controversies, legal issues, or scandals associated with her tenure or campaign. Voters seeking insight into her qualifications and vision for the Assessor’s office will need to rely on other campaign materials, as the current ethical filing confirms her candidacy status but offers limited substantive detail on her approach to the role.
Written by AI (ChatGPT) based on information found via automated internet search for public information
Daryl Lewis

Daryl Lewis

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Daryl Lewis is a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Assessor of Property, bringing three decades of experience as a real estate broker and certified project manager to the race. Holding a degree in architectural engineering technology, Lewis describes himself as a native Memphian with deep community roots spanning from French Fort to Bartlett. He views the assessor’s role as a non-partisan, technical position that requires integrity and transparency, aiming to bridge the gap between complex property valuations and average citizens by bringing programs directly into neighborhoods. Lewis’s campaign focuses on addressing what he describes as "fictitious" property values and restoring accountability to the office. He cites a reported 36% increase in property values alongside a $43 million county budget shortfall as evidence that current numbers are inaccurate. His platform emphasizes modernization, true community engagement, and closing the loop on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs to ensure companies receive tax breaks only when they meet their obligations. To eliminate potential conflicts of interest if elected, Lewis pledges to retire his real estate license. He characterizes his political philosophy through a lens of fairness, stating that any policy unfair to him is inherently unfair to others.
Written by AI (ChatGPT) based on information found via automated internet search for public information
Javier Bailey

Javier Bailey

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Javier Bailey is a Democratic candidate seeking election as Shelby County Assessor of Property in the May 5, 2026 primary. Currently serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Office of Shelby County Assessor of Property, Bailey brings extensive professional experience within the specific agency he hopes to lead. His background includes being selected twice by Assessors across Tennessee as Deputy Assessor of the Year, in both 2019 and 2022, highlighting recognition from peers for his work in the field. Bailey is a graduate of the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee. On a personal level, he is married with four children and five grandchildren. He is one of four Democrats competing in the primary race for this position. His campaign website, baileyassessor2026.com, serves as the central hub for his platform and further biographical details. The provided source material does not mention any public controversies or legal issues associated with Bailey’s career or personal life. Voters interested in his specific policy positions on property assessment, tax relief, or administrative reforms are directed to review his official campaign materials for a comprehensive overview of his qualifications and goals for the office.
Written by AI (ChatGPT) based on information found via automated internet search for public information
Republican Primary 1 candidate
Thomas B. Lannan

Thomas B. Lannan

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Thomas B. Lannan is a Republican candidate seeking election as the Assessor of Property for Shelby County, Tennessee. As a current or former official within the county government structure, Lannan brings direct experience with local administrative processes to the role. His candidacy is grounded in his professional background and public service history within Shelby County, positioning him as an insider familiar with the intricacies of property assessment operations. Lannan has filed the required Statement of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission for the 2026 election cycle, identifying himself as a Shelby County official and candidate. This disclosure highlights his adherence to state ethics regulations while running for office. The specific details of his professional qualifications and any prior tenure in public service are central to his campaign narrative, though comprehensive biographical data regarding his educational background or previous employment history is not provided in the available source material. Voters seeking to understand his platform will need to look beyond the ethical filings to find detailed policy positions, as the primary public record available focuses on his status as a declared candidate and his compliance with disclosure requirements for incumbent or former officials.
Written by AI (ChatGPT) based on information found via automated internet search for public information