{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nM. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District in the 2026 election [1]. He is on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, where he faces challengers London Lamar, Justin Pearson, and Jim Torino [1]. The general election for the seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nWilliams' platform focuses on education reform, economic development, and addressing racial disparities in Memphis [4]. Specific proposals include transforming Mud Island into an international trade center and establishing a green jobs operation on President Island [5]. On education, he calls for equitable school board representation and supports comprehensive historical education and vocational training programs [3].\n\nWilliams has secured the endorsement of Memphis City Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton [4]. As of the most recent reporting period, he does not hold endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations [2].\n\n## Background and education\nWilliams describes himself as having a background in community service, journalism, and political activism [5]. His campaign website states he participated in Civil Rights marches at age 15 and was selected by President Jimmy Carter to appear before a select committee to discuss foreign and domestic policy [5]. He identifies as a businessman and newspaper publisher [5].\n\n## Career\nWilliams is a businessman and newspaper publisher based in the Memphis area [5].\n\n## Office history\nWilliams previously ran for Shelby County Trustee, losing in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026, to Joseph Lee III [1]. In that race, Williams received 19.4% of the vote (13,159 votes) among four candidates [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/M._LaTroy_A-Williams)\n[2] [Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_M._LaTroy_A-Williams/35928)\n[3] [Just My Memphis \u2013 Education](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/2453)\n[4] [Just My Memphis \u2013 Profile](https://www.justmymemphis.com/mlatroyawilliams)\n[5] [Campaign Site](https://mlatroya-williams.com/meet-latroy/)\n[6] [BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/m-latroy-alexandria-williams)\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_9","county":"Lauderdale","county_count":3,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"US House District 9"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"M. LaTroy","fullname":"M. LaTroy A-Williams","lastname":"A-Williams","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_9","contest_title":"US House District 9","county":"Lauderdale","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house_9","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"us_house_9","contest_title":"US House District 9","county":"Lauderdale","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house_9","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"us_house_9","office_title":"US House District 9","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams is a Democrat running for TN-09 in 2026, with a background in journalism and activism; he previously lost the Shelby County Trustee primary.","terms":[],"token":"aZpO90COzr"}