2022 race briefing
JB Smiley Jr. is an attorney who has represented Super District 8, Position 1 on the Memphis City Council since January 2020. He was re-elected without opposition on October 5, 2023, to a term that runs to January 2028.
In the August 4, 2022 Democratic primary for governor, he finished second to Jason Martin by fewer than 1,500 votes, 38.8% to 39.4%, with Carnita Atwater third. PolRev covered his 2022 campaign.
In 2026 he ran for Shelby County mayor and placed second in the May 5 Democratic primary, which Mickell Lowery won. He remains on the city council.