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Raumesh Akbari
born 1984-04-14 (Age 42)
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Raumesh Akbari is a Democratic member of the Tennessee State Senate representing District 29, which encompasses parts of Memphis in Shelby County 12. She assumed office on January 8, 2019, and her current term ends on November 3, 2026 1. Since January 10, 2023, Akbari has served as Senate Minority Leader 12.
Akbari is seeking re-election to Tennessee State Senate District 29 in the 2026 cycle and is scheduled to appear on the Democratic primary ballot on August 6, 2026 1.
Background and education
Raumesh Aleza Akbari was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 14, 1984 2. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2009 24.
Career
Akbari is an attorney. Before entering politics, she worked as an attorney in Memphis and in her family's beauty supply business 911.
Office history
Akbari was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 91 in a special election in 2013, following the death of Representative Lois DeBerry 711. She was subsequently re-elected to the House in 2014 and 2016, serving until January 2019 2.
During her tenure in the House, she championed the Community Resurgence Job Tax Credit, which provides a $2,500 tax credit to businesses creating ten full-time jobs in low-income areas 5. She received the State Legislative Leaders Foundation Lois M. DeBerry Scholarship to participate in the Governing Institute's Women in Government Leadership Program 5.
Akbari was elected to the Tennessee State Senate for District 29 in November 2018 12. In the Senate, she serves on the Commerce and Labor Committee, the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Ethics Committee, and is Second Vice-Chair of the Education Committee 1012. She is also Co-Chair of the Tennessee Future Caucus 10.
In January 2023, Akbari was elected Senate Minority Leader 12.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Akbari has prioritized legislation addressing education policy, including efforts to phase out the state-run Achievement School District 124. She introduced legislation alongside Representative John Gillespie to allow Shelby County to increase its local sales tax to fund a new county jail 3.
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 “Akbari”, 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 (“Akbari”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Akbari”and, if needed, select the applicable position.