Anthony J. Buckner is a Democratic candidate for Shelby County Sheriff, currently serving as Chief Deputy in the position he seeks. Appointed by Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. in July 2023, Buckner acts as the second-in-command of Tennessee’s largest sheriff’s office, overseeing approximately 1,500 employees and managing facilities housing up to 3,000 inmates. His law enforcement career spans roughly 25 years, beginning with Memphis Police Department Explorer programs before joining the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 2001. Over his tenure, he has held diverse roles including assignments in Fugitive Division, Patrol, Gang Unit, and Narcotics, as well as leadership positions such as Lieutenant in Internal Affairs, Captain of the Public Information Office, and Director of Training. Buckner holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He also serves as an adjunct criminal justice professor at Spartanburg Methodist College. In his campaign, he emphasizes community relationships, transparency, crime prevention, and effective jail management. During a recent party forum, he criticized the current administration for poor public communication while highlighting recent hiring surges and expanded mentorship programs under his leadership. As one of five Democrats in the primary field, Buckner leads in fundraising among his Democratic rivals for this open seat.

Ricky Pollard is a Democratic candidate seeking election as Shelby County Sheriff in the upcoming primary. He currently holds no public office but brings over two decades of experience within the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to his campaign. His professional background is defined by a focus on law enforcement and community safety, specifically emphasizing strategies aimed at reducing violent crime. Pollard’s platform highlights his long tenure with the department, where he worked to mitigate violent offenses through direct enforcement actions and the development of strategic partnerships. He positions this extensive operational history as central to his qualifications for leading the agency. As one of five Democrats vying for the nomination in the May 5, 2026 primary, Pollard is actively campaigning to secure his party’s endorsement. His campaign maintains an online presence at pollardforsheriff.com, where voters can find further details on his views and background. The provided biographical material does not list specific educational degrees or family information. Additionally, there are no prominent public controversies described in the available sources that would impact his candidacy. Voters interested in his specific policy proposals or campaign finance disclosures may consult his official campaign website for more comprehensive information regarding his platform and financial reporting obligations.

Keisha Scott is a Democratic candidate seeking election as Shelby County Sheriff in the primary scheduled for May 5, 2026. She competes against four other Democrats in this race for the position. As of the current filing period, Scott does not hold any prior elected office, and her professional background or educational history is not detailed in available public sources. Her campaign platform emphasizes rebuilding trust between law enforcement and citizens through what she describes as "real-time action and precise intervention." A central component of her proposed strategy involves active community engagement, specifically by networking with local non-profit organizations to foster stronger ties within the county. Scott received an endorsement from the advocacy group ChangeTN in 2022, signaling support from progressive political circles. The Tennessee Ethics Commission lists her as a Shelby County official and candidate for Sheriff, requiring standard financial disclosures associated with her candidacy. No prominent public controversies are noted in the provided biographical materials. Voters considering this office will find that Scott’s qualifications rely primarily on her stated policy goals regarding community policing and trust-building rather than a record of prior executive law enforcement experience or elected service.

Michael D. Pope is a Democratic candidate seeking election as Shelby County Sheriff in the May 5, 2026 primary. He currently serves as a Criminal Investigator for the District Attorney’s Office in Memphis, Tennessee. His law enforcement career includes leadership roles within the West Memphis Police Department, where he held the position of Chief of Police. Prior to that, Pope served as Commander for Civil and Criminal Court Operations and Field Commander for the Domestic Violence and Special Victims Unit. Pope holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Bethel University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. His campaign highlights his extensive administrative and specialized investigative experience as relevant qualifications for the sheriff’s office. He is one of five Democrats competing in the primary race. No significant public controversies or ethical conflicts are detailed in the provided biographical materials. Voters interested in his specific policy positions can review his campaign website for further details on his platform and vision for the department.

Reginald Hubbard is a Democratic candidate seeking the Shelby County Sheriff’s office in the 2026 election. He announced his candidacy in May 2026 as one of five contenders in the primary, which is scheduled for May 5. Hubbard brings extensive law enforcement experience to the race, having retired in 2024 after a 36-year career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. His tenure included service as an Assistant Chief, lieutenant, and patrolman, with the majority of his time spent within the Shelby County Jail Division. Hubbard holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Bethel University. He is married and has two children. His campaign platform emphasizes transparency, accountability, and improving relations between the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the community. These priorities reflect his long-standing involvement in local law enforcement administration. The candidate has filed the required Statement of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission as a Shelby County official and candidate. Hubbard’s background combines decades of operational jail management experience with advanced education in criminal justice, positioning him as an experienced insider seeking to lead the department he previously served for over three decades.

Marco Yzaguirre is a Republican candidate seeking election as Shelby County Sheriff. Currently serving as a deputy in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Yzaguirre brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to the campaign. His professional background includes service as a former Memphis Police Department officer and active duty in the U.S. Army, where he deployed to Kuwait for Operation Intrinsic Action and Haiti for Operation Uphold Democracy starting in 1993. Yzaguirre’s career highlights include holding a Top Secret Security Clearance and membership in the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. He has held diverse roles within law enforcement, including Active Shooter Instructor, Narcotics Division Investigator, Gang Investigator, and the first Latino Liaison Officer for the MPD. His record also features leading international extraditions in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice and foreign authorities. Born in Lima, Peru, Yzaguirre is one of eleven children who immigrated to the United States shortly after high school. He is currently running in a contested primary race against other Republican candidates for the position of Shelby County Sheriff.

Brad Less is a Republican candidate seeking the office of Shelby County Sheriff in the May 5, 2026 primary election. He brings over 28 years of service with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to the race, where he currently serves as commander of the Uniform Patrol Division. Additionally, Less has worked as a Special Agent for the Coast Guard Investigative Service within the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for more than a decade and works off-duty as a security contractor. His campaign highlights his slogan, "30 Years Law Enforcement Experience," positioning him as a seasoned leader in an open seat vacated by term-limited incumbent Sheriff Floyd Bonner. Less’s platform emphasizes public safety, community engagement, and reducing crime through a tough-on-crime approach that holds criminals accountable. He aims to leverage his proven operations leadership to build community trust while maintaining strict law enforcement standards. As one of two Republican candidates on the ballot, facing Marco Yzaguirre, Less presents himself as an experienced operational leader ready to continue the department’s work. His candidacy is supported by his long tenure in local law enforcement and federal investigative roles, which he argues provide a solid foundation for the responsibilities of the sheriff’s office.