Written by JR Robinson

In the Army, there is no room for "maybe" or "tomorrow." When a mission is assigned, it is executed with precision, accountability, and a focus on the collective goal. Myra Charles is bringing that exact "get-it-done" military mindset to the race for Shelby County Clerk. At a recent forum, Charles stood before her neighbors not just as a candidate, but as a veteran who understands that public trust is earned through consistent, measurable results—not excuses.

"I’m just a good old girl that likes to get in, get my hands dirty, and like we say in the military: get ‘er done," Charles told the crowd. After more than a decade in executive-level operational leadership and years spent behind the scenes supporting other community leaders, Myra is stepping to the front to fix an office that she believes has lost its way.

From the Background to the Battlefront

For years, Myra Charles has been the engine behind some of Memphis' most impactful leaders. She managed the campaign and nonprofit work for Charlie Caswell and helped guide Logan Meeks to the City Council. She has spent her career pushing others to the front, building systems that function properly, and managing complex budgets and contracts behind the scenes.

But after watching the persistent issues at the Clerk's office—the long lines, the tech failures, and the lack of accountability—she decided it was time to move from the sidelines to the lead. "Instead of being a citizen on the outside complaining and murmuring, I’ve decided to join the race," she explained. Her candidacy is a response to a call for Operational Discipline.

Efficiency by Design, Not by Accident

Myra’s platform for the Clerk’s Office is built on the same principles that guided her military service: modernization, discipline, and customer service. She is a firm believer that efficiency is a choice, not a lucky break.

1. Modernization with Education: Myra understands that new technology only works if the public knows how to use it. She plans to evaluate workflows to reduce unnecessary in-person visits while simultaneously training the public on how to interface with new digital tools.
2. Operational Discipline: She is calling for measurable performance standards. By tracking service benchmarks and identifying bottlenecks, she aims to ensure that every tax dollar is managed responsibly and every transaction is processed with surgical accuracy.
3. Customer Service First: Myra believes every interaction with the Clerk’s Office should reflect professionalism. She wants to ensure that residents clearly understand what they need before they arrive, using online technology to bridge the gap between frustration and function.

The "Day One" Commander

Myra Charles isn't interested in technical jargon; she’s interested in administrative excellence. She views the Clerk’s Office as a fundamentally administrative role that requires systems-thinking and team leadership. With her background in uniform and her experience in executive leadership, she understands the chain of command and the absolute necessity of accountability.

She is running on a simple but powerful logo: Integrity, Service, and Results. For Myra, the answer to the Clerk’s Office chaos isn't just new computers—it’s a new level of leadership that isn't afraid to get its hands dirty to get the job done right.

Meet the Candidate: Myra Charles

• Core Strength: Military Leadership. An Army veteran who brings discipline, accountability, and a "mission-first" attitude to government service.
• The "Why": To stop the murmuring from the sidelines and provide the results-oriented leadership Shelby County deserves.
• Track Record: Decade-plus in executive operations, campaign management for community leaders, and a proven history of building functional nonprofit systems.
• The Mission: To modernize the Clerk's Office through better technology, rigorous staff training, and a commitment to customer service.