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Leonard Perkins
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Leonard Perkins is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives representing Tennessee's 8th Congressional District 1. He declared his candidacy for the Democratic primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 1. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 4.
Perkins has established a principal campaign committee titled the Committee to Elect Leonard Perkins Sr to Congress 2. As of the available records, the committee reported total receipts of $14,164.94 2. He completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey for the 2026 election cycle 1.
On his campaign website, Perkins self-describes as a champion for veterans' human rights, women's reproductive autonomy, and organized labor 3. His platform emphasizes veteran's rights, women's rights, and pro-labor positions 4.
Background and education
Leonard Perkins was born in Memphis, Texas 1. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1977 as an air traffic controller 13.
Perkins earned a bachelor's degree from Crichton College in 1995 and a graduate degree from the Memphis Theological Seminary in 2012 1. He is a pastor and the founder of Patmos Island Community Church, where he has served for 23 years 3.
Career
Leonard Perkins served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1977 as a retired air traffic controller 13. Following his military service, he worked as a retired employee for the Department of Veterans Affairs 3.
Professionally, Perkins is a substance abuse counselor and has served as a pastor for 23 years 3. He founded Patmos Island Community Church, where he continues to serve as pastor 3. In the business sector, he founded the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1113 in 2015 3. Additionally, in 2019, Perkins established the All Veterans Golfplex and Adaptive Sports Center, a 46-acre therapeutic facility dedicated to supporting veterans and their families 3.
Perkins holds a bachelor's degree from Crichton College, earned in 1995, and a graduate degree from the Memphis Theological Seminary, completed in 2012 1.
Office history
Leonard Perkins has not previously held elected or appointed public office 1. He is running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 8th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle 1. The Democratic primary for this seat is scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 4.
Perkins established a principal campaign committee titled "Committee to Elect Leonard Perkins Sr to Congress" to support his bid for the U.S. House 2. As of the available records, he has not held prior elected or appointed positions, nor have sources indicated losses in previous electoral races 1. His professional background includes service as a retired USAF air traffic controller and a former employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs 3. He also served as a pastor and founder of Patmos Island Community Church for 23 years 3.
Business interests and wealth source
Leonard Perkins self-describes as a retired U.S. Air Force air traffic controller and a former employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs 3. His business interests include serving as a substance abuse counselor and founding Patmos Island Community Church, where he has served as pastor for 23 years 3. In 2015, Perkins founded the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1113 3.
In 2019, Perkins established the All Veterans Golfplex and Adaptive Sports Center, a 46-acre therapeutic facility dedicated to veterans and their families 3. He also founded this organization in 2019 3. Public financial disclosure records for his campaign committee indicate total receipts of $14,064.94 2.
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 “Perkins”, 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 (“Perkins”).
Tennessee β statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates β Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Perkins”and, if needed, select the applicable position.