{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nT. L. Harris is the Democratic nominee for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education, District 6, on the August 6, 2026 county general-election ballot [1][2]. He won the District 6 Democratic primary on May 5, 2026 by a margin of fewer than 200 votes and faces independent candidate Frederick Tappan in the general election [1][2].\n\n## Background\nHarris has lived in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis for more than 30 years [1].\n\n## Career\nHarris formerly worked as a Memphis police officer [1]. He later led five community centers for the \"Memphis Gun Down\" summer youth-violence-prevention program across neighborhoods including Frayser and Raleigh over three years, focused on programming and security to reduce youth crime [1]. Harris says he currently works as chief financial officer of a business he identifies as Wallhaven Family Healthcare; Chalkbeat reported it was unable to locate an online presence or records for that business [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nHarris's stated priorities include installing cameras in MSCS classrooms for security and to identify instructional \"blind spots,\" strengthening early literacy instruction, and expanding tutoring for struggling readers [1]. On classroom cameras he said, \"Why wouldn't you have a camera in the classroom if you want to really know what's going on?\" [1]\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAccording to Chalkbeat, \"In 2006, Harris pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge while employed as a police officer,\" a conviction documented in federal court records; he has since had his civil rights restored, making him eligible to run for office [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Memphis school board election 2026: Who are the Democratic candidates in District 6? - Chalkbeat Tennessee](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/04/14/voter-guide-memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-election-district-6/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Memphis 2026 school board primary election: live updates - Chalkbeat Tennessee](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/05/05/memphis-school-board-primary-election-results-2026/) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_6","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County School Board District 6"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"T.","fullname":"T. L. Harris","lastname":"Harris","middlename":"L.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_6","contest_title":"County School Board District 6","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_school_board_division_6","office_title":"County School Board Division 6","party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":"shelby","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_6","contest_title":"County School Board District 6","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"shelby","office_key":"county_school_board_division_6","office_title":"County School Board Division 6","party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"D","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board_division_6","office_title":"County School Board Division 6","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Democratic nominee for MSCS School Board District 6 in 2026; former Memphis police officer and youth-violence-prevention program leader.","terms":[],"token":"n8qILQNHA3"}