Sawyer to run for county general sessions court clerk
Tami Sawyer, the community activist and former Shelby County commissioner, is challenging incumbent Joe Brown in next year’s race for General Sessions Court clerk.
Sawyer announced her campaign Wednesday, touting her leadership and vowing to improve the office.
“Let’s be honest, we are at a dangerous crossroad in Shelby County at the intersection of crime and poverty,” she said in a news release announcing her campaign. “I assume this responsibility because the General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office holds a pivotal role in safeguarding our community from harm, ensuring that citizens can access court services seamlessly in a hasslefree manner.
Sawyer also changed her social media pages Wednesday and launched a campaign website.
“With a commitment to fostering efficiency, transparency and accessibility within the court system, the Tami Sawyer for General Sessions Court Clerk campaign promises to enhance innovation through technology, improved customer service for judges, attorneys, and civilians, and engage with members of the Shelby County community to ensure citizens are informed and committed to the justice work of the courts,” her campaign website reads.
General Sessions Court Clerk election will be held March 2024.
According to her campaign news release, Sawyer is relying on her past and present leadership positions she has held to enhance the General Sessions Court Clerk Office technology, improved customer service for judges, attorneys, and civilians, and engage with members of the Shelby County community to ensure citizens are informed and committed to the justice work of the courts.
Sawyer already has a long list of endorsements and support from other elected officials around the county. Sawyer said that she thinks there is a critical opportunity to make change within the justice system through the General Sessions Court Clerk Office, and she will tackle it with education and technology enhancement.
“When I looked at the General Sessions Court Clerk, position, I saw twofold one, we have an incredible backlog and our criminal justice system, and a part of that is our system is bogged down with antiquated technology,” Sawyer said in an interview. “You got to file a case on the civil side and you’re still getting handed paper receipts.”
Pushing justice forward within the General Sessions Court is something Sawyer is passionate about. For those who interact with the court system — like those facing eviction — proper education about the process and resources available is important, she said.
“This isn’t saying like, we’re going to be overriding evictions because the clerk doesn’t have that right. But the clerk’s office can partner with the judges to ensure that if somebody is evicted, they know what their resources are,” Sawyer said. “They know they’re connected to community resources to help them stay housed. And so there’s a lot of education that has not been happening from the Clerk’s office that can also be a strong part of that community.”
Brown, the incumbent clerk, was elected in 2019 to his position. Brown served as the Memphis City Council Super District 8 Position 1 representative for 21 years.
Brown is seeking a second four-year term and is not to be confused with Judge Joe Brown, the local judge and TV personality who recently had an unsuccessful run for Mayor.
Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at (901) 484-6225, Brooke.muckerman@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @Brookemuckerman.