{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nConnie Casha is a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University who is running for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 49 in the Democratic primary [2]. She has established a campaign presence under the name \"Connie Casha for TN HD 49\" to support her bid for the upcoming election [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nConnie Casha self-describes as a resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee [1]. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the same institution [2]. Additionally, she earned a Specialist in Education degree from Middle Tennessee State University [2].\n\n## Career\n\nConnie Casha serves as the director of early learning programs for the Department of Elementary and Special Education in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University [3]. In this capacity, she oversees the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center, a unique preschool operated by the university [3]. The department's early learning programs recently secured over $8.5 million in state funds to provide early intervention services for families with children from birth to age 5 who have identified special needs [5].\n\nCasha is also listed as faculty within the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University [2]. Her professional profile is associated with the college's administrative team, which includes leadership such as Dean Dr. Neporcha Cone and Associate Dean Dr. Peter Eley [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Connie Casha for TN HD 49](https://www.facebook.com/p/Connie-Casha-for-TN-HD-49-61583747490384/)\n[2] [Connie Casha | Faculty | Middle Tennessee State University](https://w1.mtsu.edu/faculty/connie-casha)\n[3] [April \u2018Out of the Blue\u2019 bursts into spring with ACE Learning Center, alumnus\u2019 White House service, student trustee\u2019s ideas](https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue-april-2022/)\n[4] [Our Team \u2013 College of Education](https://education.mtsu.edu/contact/)\n[5] [MTSU Mondays: Grant supports early childhood services, top alumni award honorees named](https://www.yahoo.com/news/mtsu-mondays-grant-supports-early-090331313.html)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_049","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN House District 49"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Connie","fullname":"Connie Casha","lastname":"Casha","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_049","contest_title":"TN House District 49","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_049","office_title":"State Representative District 49","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"state_house_049","contest_title":"TN House District 49","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_049","office_title":"State Representative District 49","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house_049","office_title":"State Representative District 49","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Connie Casha is a faculty member at MTSU's College of Education and director of early learning programs, running for TN House District 49.","terms":[],"token":"zV19A0Nuak"}