Shelby County's Hard Choice is an op-ed series by Tom Lannan, Republican candidate for Shelby County Assessor of Property. This is his own statement — it does not reflect the reporting or editorial views of JustMyMemphis's news staff.

Running for Property Assessor is about understanding operational systems, keeping accurate records, and holding yourself to a rigorous work ethic. You inspect, you detect, you correct, and then you build something better than what was there before. That same principle applies to our judicial infrastructure—specifically the record-keeping backbone of our justice system, the Criminal Court Clerk's Office.

This brings me to the third feature in this op-ed series: Edquardo Jamison.

A Career Built on Service and Showing Up

The Criminal Court Clerk's Office isn't about political posturing; it is about accuracy, customer service, and absolute reliability. When you examine who is equipped to manage that responsibility, you look for people who have spent their lives on the frontlines of public safety and public service.

Edquardo Jamison brings 25 years of law enforcement experience in Shelby County to this race. Starting out as a mechanic in Whitehaven before answering the call to serve as a deputy, Jamison spent a quarter-century in patrol and county corrections. He learned early on the power of simple reliability, grounded in lessons from his late father: show up, do the work, protect the community, and keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles.

What He's Actually Proposing

In my campaign for Assessor, I’ve emphasized that technology and procedures cannot remain static. Jamison brings that exact operational focus to the Criminal Court Clerk's position, centered on three core principles:

• Evolving Technology: Jamison recognizes that keeping accurate records means staying ahead of technological advancements, constantly upgrading digital systems so the office operates at peak efficiency for taxpayers and court officers alike.

• Fiscal Responsibility and Revenue Efficiency: The Clerk’s Office must balance state reporting while ensuring funds returned to the local general fund relieve the burden on Shelby County taxpayers. Jamison focuses on making sure local dollars stay local to offset costs.

• Second Chances and Workforce Connections: Beyond maintaining court files, Jamison proposes partnering with local employers to turn expungement and record clearing into real-world job opportunities, helping individuals re-enter the workforce, buy homes, and strengthen local neighborhoods.

Jamison isn't approaching this role through a partisan lens—he approaches it as a 25-year public servant driven to bridge gaps between age groups, political parties, and local communities.

The Bigger Point

Whether it’s property assessments or criminal court records, local government exists to serve the public efficiently and transparently. Shelby County citizens deserve leaders who view administrative roles not as political stepping stones, but as vital services where showing up and getting the job done right every day is the minimum baseline.

As I’ve said throughout this series, party labels do not guarantee good management. Character, work ethic, and hands-on experience do.

Why I'm Telling You This

I am running as a Republican for Property Assessor, but my commitment is to seeing Shelby County operate with competence across every department. Edquardo Jamison’s life of public service reflects the kind of steady, reliable leadership our court system needs.

When you cast your ballot, evaluate candidates on their track record, their dedication to public service, and their operational vision.

Election Day is August 6th. Go look at the person, not just the party.

— Tom Lannan

Candidate, Shelby County Assessor of Property