Ryan Ramkhelawan is a Democratic candidate seeking election to Shelby County Commission District 3 in the upcoming primary and general elections. He is currently running in the Democratic primary scheduled for May 5, 2026, with the goal of securing his party’s nomination before facing Republican challenger Michele Dial in the general election on August 6, 2026. The provided biographical materials do not list any prior elected office held by Ramkhelawan, nor do they detail his educational background or family information. As a candidate without a recorded history of public service in the available sources, his campaign profile relies primarily on his current candidacy rather than a previous legislative or administrative record. He has filed a Statement of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission as a Shelby County official and candidate, which is a standard requirement for those seeking office in the state. Voters considering Ramkhelawan will be evaluating his platform and qualifications based on this new entry into elected politics, as no specific policy themes or notable public controversies are detailed in the current source material. His campaign represents a fresh opportunity for District 3 residents to assess a candidate who has not previously served in a governmental capacity.

Michele Dial is a Republican candidate seeking election to Shelby County Commission District 3 in the May 5, 2026 primary. She aims to fill the seat currently held by Mick Wright, who is term-limited from seeking re-election. Dial brings extensive local government experience to the race, having served nearly three terms as a Lakeland Commissioner for the District 3 area. During her tenure in Lakeland, she was elected twice by her peers to serve as Vice Mayor, demonstrating her ability to collaborate within municipal leadership structures. Her professional background includes thirty-six years of service in public education, providing her with deep insight into school systems and community development. As she campaigns for the county commission role, Dial has identified education and public safety as top priorities for her administration. She also emphasizes the need for greater transparency regarding budget dollars allocated by both the county and the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. These policy focuses reflect her long-standing commitment to educational infrastructure and fiscal accountability. The provided biographical material does not mention any prominent public controversies or legal issues associated with Dial’s career in education or local government service.