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Last week at our first community forum, I said something simple but urgent: who we hire for County Mayor matters. This job isn’t about scoring points. It’s about getting results by building productive relationships in Nashville and standing firm when state decisions threaten our families, our schools, and our future.

I’ve done this work - bringing people together across differences to deliver for our community as a County Commissioner, and building coalitions throughout my 25 year professional career at the largest logistics company in the world to solve complex problems and get results.

As Mayor, I’ll put that same approach to work for Shelby County:

Universal Pre-K as a must-have, not a nice-to-have - because every child deserves a strong start, and early learning is the smartest investment we can make.

Neighborhood health access - expanding clinics and mental-health services so folks aren’t forced to rely on ERs for basic care.

Safer communities through accountability and rehabilitation - including a modern corrections facility focused on reentry, not a revolving door.

Jobs and workforce training that open doors for young people and returning citizens - because economic opportunity is real crime prevention.

This is what the County Mayor’s role demands: collaboration when it helps our people and backbone when it protects them. If we hire the wrong person, we risk years of missed opportunities and resources left on the table. If we get it right, we can bring home the funding, programs, and partnerships our families deserve.

Watch Mickell's full answer on working with the state government here: