Written By: JR Robinson

In Shelby County politics, the line between "public service" and "self-service" has always been thin. But if the latest documents and photos circulating in local Democratic circles are any indication, that line hasn't just been crossed—it’s been erased.

A concerned citizen recently sent me a package that should make every voter’s blood boil. It details a web of connections so tangled it would make a spider dizzy, centering on the Shelby County Democratic Party (SCDP) Primary Board.

The Setup

Here are the facts on the table: The Primary Board is the gatekeeper of our elections. They decide the rules, the deadlines, and most importantly, who is "Bona Fide" enough to run. According to the board’s own schedule, they will issue their "Bona Fide Conclusions" on February 13th, 2026. This means this small group has the power to disqualify candidates—to kick them off the ballot before a single vote is cast.

The Chairwoman of this all-powerful board is Ernestine Peete.

The Conflict

Ernestine Peete is the wife of Rickey Peete. For those with short memories, Rickey Peete is a former City Councilman with a documented history of federal bribery convictions. But today, he operates as a political consultant.

According to sources and the documents provided, Rickey Peete is currently serving as a campaign manager for JB Smiley Jr.

Do you see the problem yet?

We have a situation where the "referee" of the game (Ernestine) is married to the "coach" of one of the teams (Rickey). If a rival candidate challenges JB Smiley, they have to plead their case to his campaign manager's wife. If Smiley wants a dangerously competitive opponent removed from the ballot on a technicality, the person holding the gavel at the hearing shares a bank account with his payroll department.

The Visual Proof

Photos sent to my desk show the cozy reality of this arrangement. There is JB Smiley, whispering intimately with the woman who is supposed to be his impartial judge. It doesn't look like a formal proceeding; it looks like a strategy session.

The Seeds of Corruption

This isn't just "bad optics." This is the soil in which corruption grows. When the people running the election are financially tethered to the people running for election, democracy dies. The "Bona Fide" process was designed to ensure candidates are serious; instead, it is poised to become a weapon to clear the lane for the favored few.

Shelby County deserves a fair fight, not a fixed match. If Ernestine Peete does not recuse herself immediately, every decision this board makes is tainted. The question isn't whether the system is rigged—it's whether we're going to let them get away with it.