The political landscape in Memphis shifted dramatically this week as Judge Joe Brown, the former television personality and longtime jurist, was removed from the Republican primary ballot for the 2026 Shelby County mayoral race.
The decision, made by the state Republican party, stems from questions surrounding Brown’s long-term party affiliation. Officials cited his voting record as insufficient to meet the criteria for a “bona fide” Republican, effectively disqualifying him from the May 5th primary.
Tennessee Republican Party bylaws grant the state executive committee the authority to define who qualifies as a legitimate member of the party. Typically, candidates must demonstrate consistent participation in Republican primaries – voting in three of the last four – or receive endorsement from local party leaders.
This ruling presents a significant obstacle for Brown, who recently announced his mayoral bid and sought to leverage the Republican platform. Unless a formal appeal proves successful, his name will not appear on the GOP primary ballot.
The Shelby County Republican Party has already signaled its preference, publicly endorsing former State Representative John DeBerry as their leading candidate for mayor. This move further solidifies the party’s alignment against Brown’s candidacy.
Judge Brown is no stranger to controversy, having previously leveled harsh criticism against numerous public figures. His outspoken nature has often drawn attention, and his commentary has been consistently direct and often provocative.
In past interviews, Brown didn’t shy away from expressing strong opinions, offering particularly scathing assessments of individuals like John Legend, Fani Willis, Barack Obama, and President Joe Biden, using intensely critical language.
He also previously delivered a particularly blunt critique of Kamala Harris, questioning her professional competence and alleging she relied on unconventional methods to advance her career. His assessment was uncompromising and generated considerable discussion.
As of now, Judge Brown has remained silent regarding a potential legal challenge to the decision or the possibility of launching an independent campaign for mayor. The coming weeks will reveal his next strategic move.
