Shelby County, Tennessee

Shelby County Sheriff

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Shelby County votes on this seat.

Tennessee › Shelby County › Shelby County Sheriff

Decided at the 2026 primary: Anthony J. Buckner won the seat

DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Anthony J. Buckner won with 69.9 percent over Brad Less (30.1 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. On Shelby County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. The printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee has no automatic recount.

Winner

Anthony J. Buckner

Democratic

Biography

Anthony J. Buckner is the Democratic nominee for Shelby County Sheriff on Shelby County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot.

Also ran in the primary

Brad Less

Republican

Biography

Brad Less is the Republican nominee for Shelby County Sheriff on Shelby County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot.

Next on your ballotTennessee Senate District 29

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Shelby County Sheriff in 2026?

The Shelby County Sheriff race was decided at the 2026 primary - Anthony J. Buckner won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 2 candidates were on the primary ballot: Brad Less and Anthony J. Buckner. Candidate information follows official Shelby County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Shelby County Sheriff 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.

Verify this race

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.

The rest of your Shelby County ballot

16 tracked races in Shelby County, Tennessee. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Tennessee Senate District 31 Tennessee Senate District 33 Tennessee House District 83 See all 16 Shelby County races

Candidate profiles

Anthony J. Buckner, full profile Brad Less, full profile Official Tennessee election office