Chancellor Part II, District 30, Unexpired Term
August 6, 2026 · Shelby County, Tennessee · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 0 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 919,173 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(919,173 ÷ 919,173) ÷ ln(919,173 ÷ 5,079) = 0, comparing counties in TN (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Hearing trials — criminal cases, lawsuits, family, or probate matters, depending on the court
- Ruling on evidence, motions, and sentences
- Applying state law and court procedure fairly in every case
Affected Areas: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights, Impartiality, Legal Competence
Candidates
Jim Newsom
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Jim Newsom serves as Chancellor for Part II of the Shelby County Chancery Court in Tennessee's 30th Judicial District. His legal career has included private practice and service as a Chancery Court special master. Newsom earned his bachelor's degree from Rhodes College and his law degree from Vanderbilt University.
Kenneth Margolis
Nonpartisan · declared
Kenneth Margolis is a Tennessee-licensed attorney practicing in Shelby County. Current federal and county court records list him as counsel in civil matters in the Memphis area.
Lonnie Thompson
Nonpartisan · declared
Lonnie Thompson serves as the Division VI judge of Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court. The Tennessee Judiciary selected him as president of the state's General Sessions Conference for 2025–2026.
Election sources
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov