←All People
BARBARA CONWELL CRAWFORD
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Dr. Barbara J. Conwell Crawford is the Democratic Party nominee for Sumner County School Board District 5, facing Republican incumbent Steven J. King on the August 6, 2026 ballot 1. Her stated priorities are adequate funding for programs and resources, higher educator salaries, a focus on social and emotional learning, greater community engagement, and increased transparency and trust 2.
Background and education
Crawford is a retired educator and pastor who lives in Goodlettsville 2. She holds a B.S. in elementary education from Tennessee State University, an M.S. in reading from Middle Tennessee State University, a Doctor of Education from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University 2.
Career
Crawford served 37 years in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System as a teacher, reading specialist, and principal 2. As principal of Wharton Middle School she established Nashville's first middle-school arts magnet program (Creswell Arts Magnet), and she began her teaching career as "one of the first African-American teachers assigned to a previously all-White school" 2. Her honors include the National Council of Christians and Jews Brotherhood-Sisterhood Educator of the Year Award and the Frist Principal Award 2.
Family
Crawford is married to James; they have two sons and three grandchildren 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 — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
-
State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “CRAWFORD”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - 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 (“CRAWFORD”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “CRAWFORD”and, if needed, select the applicable position.