Local & National News | August 30, 2025
Written By JR Robinson
Shelby County stands at a crossroads in 2026. The political tides are shifting, and the race for Sheriff is far more than a contest for a public office—it is a referendum on the county’s values, safety, and future. With incumbent Floyd Bonner retiring after two terms, the opportunity arises to finally address the long-standing crises that have shaken confidence in local law enforcement. Among the candidates vying to take the helm, none have generated as much genuine hope, nor embodied a more compelling vision for reform, than Reginald Hubbard. His career, philosophy, and leadership style are tailor-made for this pivotal moment in Shelby County’s history.
Reginald Hubbard is much more than a candidate—he is the embodiment of commitment to public service. His story begins as a lifelong resident, Overton High School graduate, and father of two. But it is his 36-year journey within the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that defines his unique qualifications. From his very first day as a deputy jailer at the infamous 201 Poplar Avenue jail, Hubbard demonstrated a rare blend of grit, empathy, and managerial acumen. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving as patrolman, lieutenant, and ultimately Assistant Chief of the Jail Division before retiring in 2024.
Hubbard’s approach has always been practical and deeply rooted in the realities of law enforcement. Throughout his career, he managed critical operations at the jail, oversaw staff development, ensured compliance with policy and state regulations, and dealt directly with the daily crises brought on by overcrowding, budget constraints, and outdated infrastructure. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University and a bachelor’s in business administration from LeMoyne-Owen College. These academic credentials reinforce a pragmatic intelligence, as seen in his policies and leadership within the SCSO.
Hubbard’s service history reads like a manual for effective law enforcement:
Modern challenges demand modern solutions. The role of Sheriff in 2026 is exponentially more complex than ever, especially in Shelby County. The Sheriff is not just a manager; he is a steward of public trust, a mediator in fraught community relations, and the central force driving law enforcement into the future.
There is no single issue more pressing than conditions at the Shelby County Jail. Built in 1980, the facility is the county’s epicenter of crisis—a decaying structure plagued by unsafe conditions, crumbling infrastructure, broken plumbing, aging HVAC, and chronically overcrowded halls. The death rate remains alarmingly high, drawing national scrutiny and local outrage. The average length of stay for suspects awaiting trial is a staggering 2.5 years, with some inmates languishing for over five years due to bottlenecks in the court system, failed leadership, and insufficient oversight.
Efforts to secure $1 billion for a new facility have been stymied by legislative gridlock and failed budget negotiations. County officials agree that safer conditions and modern facilities are needed, but as Hubbard notes, the heart of the problem is not just infrastructure—it’s management. Real change must begin with leadership willing and able to retrain staff, overhaul policy, and foster transparent collaboration with oversight agencies. The stakes are existential: human rights, public safety, and taxpayer dollars all hang in the balance.
Hubbard’s campaign is anchored by three top priorities:
1. Public Safety Through Community Partnership:
Hubbard vows to bridge the divide between law enforcement and citizens, fostering two-way communication and preventive collaboration. This approach centers on partnership—empowering neighborhoods, listening to local concerns, and deploying resources where they are needed most.
2. Jail Reform and Better Management:
Jail reform isn’t just about moving walls or building anew; it’s about changing the culture. Hubbard calls for a “complete overhaul” of how the jail is managed, through retraining or replacing staff, and addressing the needs of inmates and officers alike. He acknowledges that court reform is essential and has already opened dialogue with state agencies to address delays beyond SCSO control.
3. Transparency and Accountability:
Hubbard pledges to implement clear standards for conduct, financial oversight, and open communication—ensuring the community is an active participant in how policies are crafted and enforced. This is a commitment to measurable reforms, not vague promises.
What truly sets Reginald Hubbard apart is his unparalleled combination of technical expertise and emotional intelligence. His leadership is characterized by a hands-on approach—he has worked at every level inside SCSO, understands the pain points of jail administration, and knows how to motivate and mentor officers for real change. Hubbard’s credibility is anchored by decades spent inside the most challenging environments Shelby County has to offer. He has managed budget crises, poverty-driven crime spikes, and the human faces impacted by broken systems.
But Hubbard is not just a crisis manager; he is a reformer. He brings an ethic of collaboration and moral clarity. He knows first-hand what works, what has failed, and, most importantly, what can be rebuilt. Where others may settle for patchwork fixes or bureaucratic delay, Hubbard promises to push for true accountability, transparency, and transformative improvement in both policy and practice.
As Shelby County weighs its options, the contrast between Hubbard and fellow candidate Anthony Buckner is impossible to ignore. Buckner, currently Chief Deputy and second-in-command, has credentials and management experience that would look good on any resume. He oversees jail operations, represents the leadership continuity of the current administration, and embraces new policing tactics.
Yet, this familiarity is exactly why citizen groups, community watch coalitions, and reform advocates view Buckner’s candidacy with skepticism. The crisis at the jail—marked by deaths, long detention times, infrastructural collapse, and budget overruns—has all unfolded under the current administration’s watch. For many, the status quo represented by Buckner is not just uninspiring—it is culpable for present failures. What Shelby County demands is a housecleaning, a genuine break from management inertia and bureaucratic defensiveness.
Hubbard, uniquely, is unencumbered by ties to the current leadership bubble. He represents an outsider’s vision, shaped by direct experience and untainted by the compromises that have plagued recent years. His independence, reputation among front-line officers, and unflinching calls for reform make him the only authentic choice for those who want more than incremental change.
Shelby County’s voters have grown impatient—and rightfully so. The call for reform is not a cry for cosmetic changes, but a demand for restored trust, responsible management, and a safer community. Watchdog organizations and local family networks have made it clear: Shelby County is ready to clean house. Hubbard’s campaign answers that call with a robust platform, proven experience, deep community involvement, and a track record that spans not only policy but practice.
This race is about more than one man—it is about a new beginning. Hubbard’s vision for Shelby County is one where policing serves as a public good, jail conditions meet humane standards, and everyone’s voice is heard. He brings integrity, accountability, and a solid plan for addressing the department’s longstanding crises. By drawing together the best of law enforcement tradition and marrying it with modern methods, Hubbard offers a bright path forward at a dark hour for the county.
The future of Shelby County is quite literally at stake in the 2026 Sheriff’s election. The department’s challenges have reached a boiling point, and only bold reform can reverse the tide of mistrust, dysfunction, and public anxiety. Hubbard’s candidacy presents Shelby County with a clear choice: to continue with the familiar or to embrace the leadership, experience, and reform-minded approach needed to restore the values and safety the community deserves.
Electing Reginald Hubbard is not about entrusting power to a bureaucrat. It is about empowering a community—by putting transparency, accountability, and citizen priorities at the heart of public safety. Shelby County is ready for a clean slate. Hubbard is ready to lead.
JustMy is about supporting LOCALS, check out these LOCAL area businesses and organizations! Everything you want to know about them is here! Like and Share TODAY! If you are a local business and would like a free listing with us, create your Digital Business Card today and we will share it with the community!
Put your business in front of thousands of LOCALS! Create your free listing on the NewsSTAND and update your profile anytime to share the latest info, specials, and contact details.
Got a story to Share? Pitch your idea or write an article for the NewsSTAND! Join us in highlighting the positive and powerful moments that make our city shine.
We’re passionate about working together to amplify our City. Reach out to the NewsSTAND team to explore collaboration opportunities and make a difference in our community.
Hover over each card to unlock the full story and see what you’re about to get!
