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Leigh Scarbrough
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Leigh Ann Scarbrough is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education District 8 seat in the 2026 election 12. She is running as a Democrat 6. As of May 2026, she has not held this specific elected office previously, though her campaign highlights her background as a former librarian with Memphis Public Libraries and an alumna of local Memphis schools 4.
Scarbroughβs campaign, branded as "Vote Scarbrough," states that its mission is to empower citizens and advocate for meaningful change by prioritizing local political issues 5. Her platform emphasizes community engagement and supporting students, drawing on her personal history of attending Wells Station Elementary, Craigmont Middle, and Craigmont High School in Memphis 4. She has been identified as one of the Democratic candidates for District 8 in voter guides published prior to the election 6.
Background and education
Leigh Ann Scarbrough was born and raised in Memphis 4. She self-describes as a local who walked the same halls at Wells Station Elementary, Craigmont Middle, and Craigmont High School that students attend today 4.
Career
Leigh Ann Scarbrough is a native Memphian who attended Wells Station Elementary, Craigmont Middle, and Craigmont High School 4. Her professional background includes service as a librarian with Memphis Public Libraries 4. She has also worked in the education sector, serving as a teacher at Keystone Elementary School within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district 7.
Office history
Leigh Ann Scarbrough served as a member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education for District 8 1. She was elected to this position in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 3. Her responsibilities on the board included overseeing district policies, budgeting, and educational standards for Shelby County public schools 1.
Scarbrough has also run for other offices. She ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 67 in 2024 but lost the general election 1. Additionally, she ran for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education District 8 seat in 2020 but was unsuccessful in her bid for re-election that cycle 3.
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 β search by last name on each.
Tennessee β campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) β Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Scarbrough”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) β most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Scarbrough”).
Tennessee β statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates β Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Scarbrough”and, if needed, select the applicable position.