Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.
Tennessee › Shelby County › Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term)
DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Jahari Dowdy won with 55.5 percent over Ray Lepone (44.5 percent), per fox13memphis.com reporting of the Shelby County Election Commission's results (re-verify against the commission's certified results). This office will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Nonpartisan judicial race for an unexpired term on Shelby County's August 6, 2026 ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot.
Nonpartisan
Jahari Dowdy is a candidate for Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term) on Shelby County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot.
Nonpartisan
Ray Lepone is a candidate for Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term) on Shelby County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot.
Who is running for Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term) in 2026?
The Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term) race was decided at the 2026 primary - Jahari Dowdy won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 2 candidates were on the primary ballot: Jahari Dowdy and Ray Lepone. Candidate information follows official Shelby County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Criminal Court Judge Division I — 30th Judicial District (Unexpired Term) election in Tennessee?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Tennessee are on the Tennessee election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Shelby County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Shelby County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Tennessee election office, or see the full Shelby County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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