Tom Leatherwood

Current office and 2026 campaign

Tom Leatherwood is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 99, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 ¹². His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹. As of May 2026, Leatherwood is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 ¹. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Background and education

Tom Leatherwood was born on August 20, 1956, in Germantown, Tennessee ². He was born and raised in Shelby County ⁶. He identifies as Baptist ¹².

Leatherwood graduated from Germantown High School in 1974 ¹². He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis in 1979 ³¹². He later obtained a teaching certification from Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 ³¹².

Career

Tom Leatherwood was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 20, 1956 ². He graduated from Germantown High School in 1974 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis in 1979 ³¹². Following his undergraduate studies, Leatherwood worked in the energy industry for several years ⁶.

Leatherwood later pursued a career in education, earning a teaching certificate from Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 ³¹². He served as a school teacher before entering public office ². In addition to his teaching career, Leatherwood worked as the Register of Deeds for Shelby County until his retirement from that position ¹².

Office history

Tom Leatherwood served in the Tennessee State Senate from 1992 to 2000, where he was succeeded by Mark Norris ². He later returned to elected office when he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 in November 2018 ¹². He assumed this seat on January 8, 2019 ². As a member of the House, Leatherwood serves two-year terms and has held roles including Assistant Republican Leader during the 100th General Assembly ³.

Leatherwood won re-election to the Tennessee House in the 2020 general election after defeating challenger Lee Mills in the Republican primary with 72% of the vote ⁴. He faced Mills again in the 2022 Republican primary for District 99, though specific outcome details for that cycle are not provided in the available sources ⁵.

Leatherwood is currently serving his term which ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. He is on the ballot for re-election to represent District 99 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Tom Leatherwood has served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 since assuming office on January 8, 2019 ². During his tenure, he has held leadership roles within the Republican caucus, serving as Assistant Republican Leader during the 100th General Assembly ³. His committee assignments have included membership in the Health Committee and its subcommittees, the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee, the Naming & Designating Committee, and the State & Local Government Committee ¹².

Leatherwood has sponsored legislation addressing various social and legal issues. In 2022, he introduced House Bill 233, which sought to remove the prerequisite base age for marriage in Tennessee, a proposal that drew significant public attention and criticism ⁸¹³. He also voted on or supported measures such as the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (SB 16/HB 1), the Human Life Protection Act (SB 1257/HB 1029), and Governor Lee’s Pro-Life Bill (SB 2196/HB 2263) ¹¹. Additionally, he was involved in legislative efforts regarding DCS social worker caseloads and bills preventing challenges to House rules in state court ⁹.

Policy positions highlighted by supporters include fiscal responsibility, support for the education system, and community safety ⁷. His voting record reflects alignment with conservative priorities, including the Business Protection Act (SB 364/HB 563) and legislation related to conscience provisions for child-placing agencies and single-sex student athletics ¹¹.

Documented disputes and controversies

In 2018, Leatherwood defeated incumbent Democrat Lee Mills in the Republican primary for District 99, a race that featured sharp personal attacks between the two candidates ⁵. During the campaign, Mills characterized Leatherwood as a "career politician" who had left a mess in his previous role as Shelby County Register of Deeds ⁵. Leatherwood countered by emphasizing his experience and arguing it was necessary to guide Tennessee through the COVID-19 pandemic ⁵. Leatherwood won the primary with 72% of the vote and went on to win the general election unopposed after no Democratic nominee qualified ⁴.

Leatherwood faced significant public criticism in April 2022 for introducing House Bill 233, legislation that would have removed the prerequisite base age for marriage in Tennessee ⁸. The proposal drew widespread condemnation and media attention, with outlets describing the bill as an attempt to legalize child marriage ¹³. Leatherwood had previously served as a retired Register of Deeds before his legislative career ¹².

Business interests and wealth source

Leatherwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis and later earned a teaching certification from Middle Tennessee State University ³. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked for several years in the energy industry before leaving to travel internationally for 14 months ⁶. He subsequently pursued a career in education and public service, eventually serving as the Register of Deeds for Shelby County until his election to the state legislature ¹².

Leatherwood’s personal financial disclosures are maintained by LegiStorm, which tracks the personal financial reports filed by Tennessee legislators ¹⁰. Specific details regarding his current business ownership stakes or the exact sources of his wealth beyond his prior employment in the energy sector and as Register of Deeds are not detailed in the provided source material.

Family

Tom Leatherwood was born in Germantown, Tennessee ². He is married to Melissa Leatherwood, and they have five children ³¹². The family resides in Arlington, Tennessee ³.

Sources