Lakeland Commissioner, and current Vice Mayor, Michele Dial has announced her intention to run for the District 3 seat on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, currently held by Mick Wright, who is term-limited and unable to seek reelection. Former Lakeland Commisoner Wesley Wright also annoucned his intention to run earlier this year but decided to pull his name from the race citing personal reasons.
District 3 encompasses Lakeland, Bartlett, and surrounding communities, including the Brunswick area south of the Loosahatchie River. Dial, a Republican, plans to compete in the party’s primary election scheduled for May 5, 2026. The primary winners from each party will advance to the Shelby County general election in August 2026.
Candidates interested in running for the seat can begin picking up qualifying petitions on December 22, with the filing deadline set for February 19. Early voting for the May primary will take place from April 15 through April 30.
Dial’s announcement marks an early start to what is expected to be a closely watched race to represent one of Shelby County’s fastest-growing suburban districts.
