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William Slater
born 1961-10-13 (Age 64)
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
William Slater is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 35 1. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his election to succeed Jerry Sexton 3. His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 1.
Slater is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 35 in the 2026 cycle 1. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 1. As of May 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election remains unknown 1.
Background and education
William Slater was born on October 13, 1961 3. He and his wife, Danielle, have been married since 1980 and moved to Sumner County with their four children in 1996 4578. Slater self-describes as a member of the Republican Party 13.
Slater earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Hyles-Anderson College and a Master of Education in educational leadership from the University of South Florida, which he obtained while working as a teacher 13578. He later received a Juris Doctor from the Nashville School of Law during his tenure in school administration 158.
Career
William Slater and his wife, Danielle, moved to Sumner County with their four children in 1996 47. Both hold bachelor’s degrees in education 78. Slater earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida while working as a teacher 57. His career in school administration eventually led him to Tennessee, where he served as a headmaster for twenty-one years 578. During this period, he also earned his law degree from the Nashville School of Law 58.
In 2017, Slater transitioned to Welch College, where he serves as the Dean of Adult and Online Studies and teaches graduate students 58. His professional background in education spans three decades, including leadership roles in K-12 and higher education sectors 4.
Office history
William Slater was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 35 in November 2022 and assumed office on January 10, 2023, succeeding Jerry Sexton 13. He serves two-year terms with no term limits 2. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1. As a member of the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, Slater serves as the Chairman of the Education Administration Subcommittee 7.
Slater is currently running for re-election to represent District 35 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 1. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown.
Legislative record and accomplishments
William Slater serves as the Chairman of the Education Administration Subcommittee in the Tennessee House of Representatives 7. His legislative focus is heavily informed by his professional background, which includes twenty-one years of service as a headmaster and his current role as Dean of Adult and Online Studies at Welch College 58.
Specific bill numbers sponsored or voted on are not detailed in the available source materials. Slater’s policy positions are generally characterized by his self-described commitment to serving constituents without special interest influence, though specific legislative votes or authored bills are not enumerated in the provided texts 6.
Business interests and wealth source
William Slater’s professional background is rooted in education and administration rather than private industry wealth or business ownership. He self-describes a career spanning three decades that includes leadership roles in K-12 and higher education sectors 4. For twenty-one years, he served as a headmaster in school administration before transitioning to Welch College in 2017, where he serves as the Dean of Adult and Online Studies and teaches graduate students 58.
Slater’s financial disclosures do not indicate significant business ownership stakes or sales that would constitute a primary source of wealth. Instead, his public profile emphasizes his long tenure in educational leadership and his role as an instructor at Welch College 8. He and his wife, Danielle, moved to Sumner County in 1996, where Danielle continues to work in family businesses, though specific details regarding the nature or value of these enterprises are not provided in available biographical records 45. Slater’s own professional income is derived from his academic and administrative positions within the education sector 8.
Family
William Slater has been married to his wife, Danielle, since 1980 4. The couple moved to Sumner County with their four children in 1996 5. Both Slater and his wife hold bachelor’s degrees in education 7. Danielle continues to work in the family businesses 4.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Slater”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Slater”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Slater”and, if needed, select the applicable position.