Anne Backus

Anne Backus is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 33 in Anderson County [1]. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, where she faces fellow Democrat Kelly McCampbell [1]. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].

Backus was born in Pensacola, Florida, and earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in 1980 [1]. Her professional career included 33 years as a project manager at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge [8]. She retired in 2014 [8].

In previous elections, Backus advanced unopposed in the Democratic primary for District 33 on August 1, 2024 [1]. She subsequently faced Republican Richard Scarbrough in the general election on November 5, 2024, receiving 9,685 votes (32.3%) to Scarbrough's 20,299 votes (67.7%) [1].

Backus serves as the treasurer for the Anderson County Democratic Party [18]. Her community involvement includes volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Anderson County Juvenile Court [8]. She is also involved with PFLAG, having founded and served as an officer of the Oak Ridge Chapter, and is a member of the Anderson County NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge [13].

Backus has stated that her campaign priorities include supporting public schools, opposing vouchers for private schools, advocating for common-sense gun safety laws such as universal background checks, and ensuring affordable healthcare including reproductive rights [12]. She cites her experience working with diverse groups at Y-12 as preparation for the role [13].

Sources

• [1] Anne Backus - Ballotpedia
• [2] Tennessee House of Representatives District 33 - Ballotpedia
• [3] John Ragan - Ballotpedia
• [4] Richard Scarbrough - Ballotpedia
• [5] Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [6] Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [8] Anne Backus for State House (TN 33)
• [10] Watch as Anderson Co CASA, Anne Backus, and Anderson Co Program Coordinator chat about what CASA of the Tennessee Heartland has been up to during... | By CASA of the Tennessee Heartland | Facebook
• [12] Anne Backus: Running for state representative; public schools, gun safety are priorities
• [13] Anne Backus to run for Tennessee House seat
• [15] Backus Files Petition as Candidate for Tennessee House District 33 – BBBTV12
• [18] Anderson County Democrats praise Biden as 'true public servant'
• [19] Anne Backus Archives - Oak Ridge Today

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

• State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Backus”, and submit.
• Shelby County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — Shelby County Public Campaign Finance Portal. Select the election year and search by candidate name (“Backus”).

Tennessee — statement of interest

• Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Backus”and, if needed, select the applicable position.