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LAURA BLACKWELL CLARK
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Laura Blackwell Clark is the Democratic nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 21 on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, running for a seat being vacated by departing incumbent Chantho Sourinho 12. In the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary she defeated Ashley Benkarski, receiving 250 votes to Benkarski's 210, and advances to the general election against Republican Jeff Lloyd 2. Clark describes her campaign priorities as opposing expansion of Middle Point Landfill, increasing competitive salaries for educators and law enforcement, promoting affordable housing through public-private partnerships, supporting smart-growth initiatives under Plan Rutherford, and strengthening county-city collaboration 1. She frames her approach as "listening to the residents of District 21 and then, if elected, being the voice of District 21 on the Rutherford County Commission" 1.
Background and education
Clark earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University 1. She is a native Memphian and has been a Rutherford County resident since 2006 1.
Career
Clark's professional background spans teaching, school administration, and higher education. She served as a professor and administrator at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where she has led the PK-12 Collaborative professional development program since 2015 1.
Office history
Clark serves on the state board of Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, and as a board member of MTSU's American Democracy Project she has conducted voter-registration drives and trained students in advocacy 1. She joined the Rutherford Neighborhood Alliance in 2024 1.
Family
Clark is a mother and grandmother and a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro 1.
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)
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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 “CLARK”, 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 (“CLARK”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “CLARK”and, if needed, select the applicable position.