[{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Tamarques Porter is a candidate for the Memphis Shelby County School Board, District 4 1 2 . Background and education Porter is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a graduate of Melrose High School 2 . He attended Texas Southern University and sub","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nTamarques Porter is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, District 4 [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nPorter is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a graduate of Melrose High School [2]. He attended Texas Southern University and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Science in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix [2].\n\n## Career\nPorter serves as a Cybersecurity Specialist with the U.S. Department of Treasury [2].\n\nPorter advocates for educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals through the Tennessee Higher Education Prison Initiative (THEI) [2]. He also serves as a mentor and facilitator in Dr. Clifford Black's Super Learning Literacy Class, which focuses on language and computer literacy skills [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/votetporter/)\n[2] [Campaign Site](https://www.votetporter.com/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tamarques","fullname":"Tamarques Porter ","lastname":"","middlename":"Porter","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"LLkcfLSVd5"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"TAYLOR","fullname":"TAYLOR ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"uvmDiUQkgs"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"WRITE-IN","fullname":"WRITE-IN ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"M2L6JMun7L"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Write-in","fullname":"Write-in ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"Rta9LQL8aO"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"WRITE-IN","fullname":"WRITE-IN ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"jlUdYPQdOo"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"WRITE-IN","fullname":"WRITE-IN ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"oX7wlXqRav"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Write-in","fullname":"Write-in ","lastname":"","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"dTz3cs1ozn"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JOHN","fullname":"JOHN (JAY)","lastname":"(JAY)","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"l4GG9HyMig"},{"bio_snippet":"M. LaTroy A-Williams is a Democratic candidate running for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District and Shelby County Trustee in the 2026 election cycle.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nM. LaTroy A-Williams is a Democratic Party candidate running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 9th Congressional District [1]. He officially declared his candidacy for the Democratic primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nIn addition to his congressional bid, A-Williams previously appeared on the ballot in the Democratic primary for Shelby County Trustee on May 5, 2026 [1]. As of the current reporting period, he has not received any endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nM. LaTroy A-Williams has sought elected office in Tennessee at the state and federal levels [1]. He ran for election to Shelby County Trustee, appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary held on May 5, 2026 [1]. The sources provided do not specify the outcome of this primary race.\n\nHe is running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 9th Congressional District [1]. A-Williams declared his candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1]. As these elections have not yet occurred as of May 11, 2026, their outcomes are unknown.\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [M. LaTroy A-Williams - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/M._LaTroy_A-Williams)\n[2] [Endorsements for M. LaTroy A-Williams - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_M._LaTroy_A-Williams/35928)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"M.","fullname":"M. LaTroy A-Williams","lastname":"A-Williams","middlename":"LaTroy","suffix":null,"summary":"M. LaTroy A-Williams is a Democratic candidate running for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District and Shelby County Trustee in the 2026 election cycle.","token":"M2cIjjzDtr"},{"bio_snippet":"M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams is a Democrat running for TN-09 in 2026, with a background in journalism and activism; he previously lost the Shelby County Trustee primary.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nM. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District in the 2026 election [1]. He is on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, where he faces challengers London Lamar, Justin Pearson, and Jim Torino [1]. The general election for the seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nWilliams' platform focuses on education reform, economic development, and addressing racial disparities in Memphis [4]. Specific proposals include transforming Mud Island into an international trade center and establishing a green jobs operation on President Island [5]. On education, he calls for equitable school board representation and supports comprehensive historical education and vocational training programs [3].\n\nWilliams has secured the endorsement of Memphis City Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton [4]. As of the most recent reporting period, he does not hold endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations [2].\n\n## Background and education\nWilliams describes himself as having a background in community service, journalism, and political activism [5]. His campaign website states he participated in Civil Rights marches at age 15 and was selected by President Jimmy Carter to appear before a select committee to discuss foreign and domestic policy [5]. He identifies as a businessman and newspaper publisher [5].\n\n## Career\nWilliams is a businessman and newspaper publisher based in the Memphis area [5].\n\n## Office history\nWilliams previously ran for Shelby County Trustee, losing in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026, to Joseph Lee III [1]. In that race, Williams received 19.4% of the vote (13,159 votes) among four candidates [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/M._LaTroy_A-Williams)\n[2] [Blue Voter Guide](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_M._LaTroy_A-Williams/35928)\n[3] [Just My Memphis \u2013 Education](https://www.justmymemphis.com/view-post/2453)\n[4] [Just My Memphis \u2013 Profile](https://www.justmymemphis.com/mlatroyawilliams)\n[5] [Campaign Site](https://mlatroya-williams.com/meet-latroy/)\n[6] [BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/m-latroy-alexandria-williams)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"M. LaTroy","fullname":"M. LaTroy A-Williams","lastname":"A-Williams","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams is a Democrat running for TN-09 in 2026, with a background in journalism and activism; he previously lost the Shelby County Trustee primary.","token":"aZpO90COzr"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Marinda A Williams is a candidate for the Memphis Shelby County School Board, District 6 1 . She is one of five candidates in the Democratic primary for the seat held by Keith Williams 1 . She participated in a candidate video series hosted by the","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMarinda A-Williams is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, District 6 [1]. She is one of five candidates in the Democratic primary for the seat held by Keith Williams [1]. She participated in a candidate video series hosted by the Greater Memphis Chamber [2].\n\nA-Williams advocates for a collaborative governance model that allows newly elected leadership to demonstrate improvement before any potential state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools [1]. She prioritizes evidence-based literacy instruction in early grades, expanding tutoring, and aligning curriculum with learning science [1]. She supports strong financial transparency and contract oversight at the board level and believes the district should expand career and technical education programs to boost student attendance [1].\n\n## Background and education\nA-Williams previously worked as a teacher assistant and educator in local private schools and as a teacher in the Germantown suburban school district [1].\n\n## Office history\nA-Williams previously represented Memphis on the Tennessee Democratic State Executive Committee at age 23, where she set policies and goals for local parties [1]. She ran for Memphis City Council in 2019 but did not win [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Chalkbeat Tennessee](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/04/14/voter-guide-memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-election-district-6/)\n[2] [Greater Memphis Chamber](https://memphischamber.com/blog/general/meet-the-candidates-school-board-district-6/)\n\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18.*\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Marinda","fullname":"Marinda A-Williams","lastname":"A-Williams","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"ItusF60l1M"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Debbie A'Hearn is the Republican candidate for Hamblen County Commission District 2 in the August 6, 2026 general election 1 . Office history A'Hearn is the sitting District 2 representative on the Hamblen County Commission, as listed on the count","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDebbie A'Hearn is the Republican candidate for Hamblen County Commission District 2 in the August 6, 2026 general election [1].\n\n## Office history\nA'Hearn is the sitting District 2 representative on the Hamblen County Commission, as listed on the county government's official commission roster, making her the incumbent in this race [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] Hamblen County Election Commission, https://www.hamblencountytn.gov/election-commission/ (confirms August 6, 2026 as the county general election date and County Commission District 2 as a defined district)\n[2] Hamblen County Commission, official roster, https://www.hamblencountytn.gov/county-commission","birthdate":null,"firstname":"DEBBIE","fullname":"DEBBIE A'HEARN","lastname":"A'HEARN","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"IV9MwtbqG1"},{"bio_snippet":"Bradley Jordan Abate serves as Harnett Regional Jetport Director and was previously a Deputy Sheriff in Harnett County.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nBradley Jordan Abate serves as the director of the Harnett Regional Jetport, a position he assumed in February 2025 following his selection by Harnett County [1][2][4]. Prior to this appointment, Abate worked as a deputy sheriff for Harnett County [3].\n\nAbate is running for election to the Harnett County Board of Education, representing District 03 in the 2026 cycle.\n\n## Career\n\nBradley Abate served as a deputy sheriff for Harnett County [3]. He subsequently became the director of the Harnett Regional Jetport, an airport located on 152 acres northwest of Erwin, North Carolina [5]. Harnett County selected Abate for this leadership role in February 2025 [4]. In his capacity as director, he oversaw operations at the facility, which includes amenities such as electric vehicle charging stations [6].\n\n## Office history\n\nBradley Abate served as a Deputy Sheriff in Harnett County [3]. In February 2025, he was selected to serve as the new director of the Harnett Regional Jetport [2][4].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nBradley Abate serves as the director of the Harnett Regional Jetport, a position he assumed in early 2025 [1]. In this role, he oversees operations at the airport located on 152 acres near Erwin, North Carolina, which includes amenities such as electric vehicle charging stations [5][6]. Abate was selected for this appointment by Harnett County officials [2][4].\n\nPrior to his current position, Abate worked as a deputy sheriff for Harnett County, with employment records available through public payroll databases [3]. He is also associated with ABATE of North Carolina, Inc., a business entity registered in the state [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Abate is new director of Harnett Regional Jetport | Archives | sanfordherald.com](https://www.sanfordherald.com/archives/abate-is-new-director-of-harnett-regional-jetport/article_9ac2890f-e7fb-5bd4-bcc0-97aabb989385.html)\n[2] [Harnett County Selects Bradley Abate as New Harnett Regional Jetport Director](https://harnett.org/publicinfo/press-releases.asp?btid=13&bid=2135)\n[3] [Bradley Abate - Deputy Sheriff - Harnett County | OpenGovPay](https://opengovpay.com/nc/bradley-abate/27580567)\n[4] [Harnett County selects Bradley Abate as new Harnett Regional Jetport director | BizFayetteville](https://bizfayetteville.com/more-news/2025/2/20/harnett-county-selects-bradley-abate-as-new-harnett-regional-jetport-director/3975)\n[5] [HRJ - Harnett Regional Jetport Airport | SkyVector](https://skyvector.com/airport/HRJ/Harnett-Regional-Jetport-Airport)\n[6] [Harnett Regional Jetport Now Offers Electric Vehicle Charging Stations](https://beta.harnett.org/publicinfo/press-releases.asp?btid=13&bid=2150)\n[7] [0633380 - ABATE of North Carolina, Inc](https://www.city-data.com/business-entities/NC/ABATE-of-North-Carolina-Inc-0633380-NC.html)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Bradley","fullname":"Bradley Jordan Abate","lastname":"Abate","middlename":"Jordan","suffix":null,"summary":"Bradley Jordan Abate serves as Harnett Regional Jetport Director and was previously a Deputy Sheriff in Harnett County.","token":"c803e8549e8748a2"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Emily F. Abbott is the Republican candidate seeking election to retain the Criminal Court Judge, Division I seat for Knox County 6th Judicial District, unexpired term , with the general election on August 6, 2026 1 . Governor Bill Lee appointed he","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nEmily F. Abbott is the Republican candidate seeking election to retain the Criminal Court Judge, Division I seat for Knox County (6th Judicial District, unexpired term), with the general election on August 6, 2026 [1]. Governor Bill Lee appointed her to the seat on August 15, 2025, and she was sworn in three days later, becoming only the second woman to serve on the Knox County Criminal Court [1].\n\n## Background and education\nAbbott earned a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 2003, where she was editor of the student newspaper, and a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law [1][2]. She is a native of Sumner County and has long lived in Knoxville's Bearden community [1].\n\n## Career\nAbbott spent nearly two decades as a prosecutor before her judicial appointment. She began prosecuting in Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District in 2007 and transferred to the Seventh Judicial District in 2009, handling cases ranging from traffic offenses to homicide [2]. She was a finalist for a Knox County judgeship in 2022, when Judge Hixson was instead appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, before Governor Lee appointed her to the Criminal Court in 2025 [2].\n\n## Office history\nAbbott was appointed Criminal Court Judge, Division I, by Governor Bill Lee on August 15, 2025, and is now seeking election to retain the seat in the Republican primary (May 5, 2026) and general election (August 6, 2026) [1][2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, \"Judge Abbott gets to work on Knox County Criminal Court bench,\" https://www.tncourts.gov/news/2025/09/10/judge-abbott-gets-work-knox-county-criminal-court-bench\n[2] Elect Judge Abbott campaign website, \"About,\" https://www.electjudgeabbott.com/about","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Emily","fullname":"Emily F. Abbott","lastname":"Abbott","middlename":"F.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"n8j0CCuVvz"},{"bio_snippet":"Misam Abidi is an independent candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election and was previously involved in a Memphis-based investment fraud case.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMisam Abidi is an Independent candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election, filed as a resident of Nolensville, Tennessee, on March 5, 2026 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidates for Governor, filed as of March 2026](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/Governor_2026.pdf) \u2014 Tennessee Secretary of State, accessed 2026-07-20","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Misam","fullname":"Misam Abidi","lastname":"Abidi","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Misam Abidi is an independent candidate for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election and was previously involved in a Memphis-based investment fraud case.","token":"WhasrWRobr"},{"bio_snippet":"Carol Vene\u00e1 Abney is a Tennessee politician and CPA who ran for the State House District 38 in 2018 and 2020, losing both times, and previously served as TN Democratic Party Treasurer.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nCarol Vene\u00e1 Abney serves as a Tennessee Executive Committee Woman for District 12 in the primary [1]. She is a candidate for the Democratic Party in the race for the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 38 [1]. This candidacy follows her previous run for the same seat in 2020, where she lost the general election to incumbent Kelly Keisling [1].\n\nRecent political activity has involved internal party dynamics, specifically a dispute regarding her removal as Treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party which sparked public debate over secrecy and trust within the organization [3]. For the upcoming 2026 election, Abney continues to focus on issues such as Medicaid expansion for District 38 and opposition to private school vouchers [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nCarol Vene\u00e1 Abney was born on March 16, 1972, in Tennessee [2]. She is a Christian and resides in Celina, Tennessee [2].\n\nAbney earned an Associate of Science in Business/Commerce from Volunteer State Community College between 2010 and 2012, graduating with a grade point average of 4.0 [2]. She subsequently attended Tennessee Tech University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting between 2012 and 2014 with a grade point average of 3.9 [2]. Abney later completed a Master of Business Administration in Accounting at Tennessee Tech University from 2014 to 2015 [2].\n\n## Career\n\nAbney is a principal at Abney Certified Public Accountant [2]. She holds an MBA in Accounting from Tennessee Tech University, which she completed between 2014 and 2015, following a BS in Accounting from the same institution earned between 2012 and 2014 with a grade point average of 3.9 [2]. Prior to her graduate studies, she earned an AS in Business/Commerce from Volunteer State Community College between 2010 and 2012, achieving a grade point average of 4.0 [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nCarol Abney served as Treasurer for the Tennessee Democratic Party, a role from which she was removed following an internal dispute regarding records and party control [3]. She is also the principal of Abney Certified Public Accountant [2].\n\nIn 2018, Abney ran for election to the Tennessee State House of Representatives to represent District 38 [2]. In 2020, she ran again for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 38 as a Democrat [1]. She lost the general election on November 3, 2020, when incumbent Kelly Keisling defeated her [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nCarol Vene\u00e1 Abney\u2019s legislative record is defined by her tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where she represented District 38 until losing the general election on November 3, 2020 [1]. During her time in office, she focused heavily on rural healthcare and education policy. She advocated for Medicaid expansion, noting that with only one stable hospital in her five-county district, such measures were vital to the region's health [4].\n\nOn education, Abney opposed school voucher programs, arguing they diverted millions from public schools without providing benefits to rural Tennesseans [4]. Her professional background as a certified public accountant and principal of Abney Certified Public Accountant informed her policy positions on fiscal responsibility and economic development in West Tennessee [2].\n\nIn the 2024 cycle, Abney ran for election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 38 [2]. She has also served in party leadership roles, including as Treasurer for the Tennessee Democratic Party, a position from which she was removed following an internal dispute over records and transparency [3].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn 2023, Carol Abney was removed from her position as Treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party following an internal dispute that escalated into a public conflict regarding party secrecy and control [3]. The removal, which followed weeks of distrust and leaks between state party leadership and county parties, resulted in what observers described as a \"much larger public war\" over transparency and trust within the organization [3].\n\nAbney previously ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 38 in the general election held on November 3, 2020, where she lost to incumbent Kelly Keisling [1]. During her campaign, she highlighted policy positions such as opposing private school vouchers and advocating for Medicaid expansion to support healthcare in her five-county district [4].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nCarol Vene\u00e1 Abney is a principal at Abney Certified Public Accountant [2]. She holds an MBA in Accounting from Tennessee Tech University, which she completed between 2014 and 2015, as well as a BS in Accounting from the same institution (2012\u20132014) and an AS in Business/Commerce from Volunteer State Community College (2010\u20132012) [2].\n\nSpecific details regarding her family wealth source, ownership stakes beyond her role at her firm, sales of businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Family\n\nAbney is married to Randell [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Carol Vene\u00e1 Abney - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Carol_Vene%C3%A1_Abney)\n[2] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182445/carol-abney)\n[3] [What Happened in the Tennessee Democratic Party Treasurer Fight?](https://redstatebluevoter.substack.com/p/motion-was-narrow)\n[4] [Carol Abney | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/carol-venea-abney)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Carol","fullname":"Carol V Abney","lastname":"Abney","middlename":"V","suffix":null,"summary":"Carol Vene\u00e1 Abney is a Tennessee politician and CPA who ran for the State House District 38 in 2018 and 2020, losing both times, and previously served as TN Democratic Party Treasurer.","token":"92ailGgvXf"},{"bio_snippet":"Tamika L. Abrum is identified as a Memphis community activist and former MSCS board member involved in a restraining order dispute with Towanna Murphy.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTamika L. Abrum is a Democratic candidate running for the Tennessee Senate District 33 seat in the 2026 election [1]. She qualified for the August 6, 2026, primary ballot following the March 10, 2026, filing deadline established by the Tennessee Secretary of State [2][3]. Abrum is one of several candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in a cycle that includes major statewide contests such as the open gubernatorial race [7].\n\nAbedum's campaign has been marked by public disputes with fellow Memphis-Shelby County Schools board member Towanna Murphy. The two have accused each other of harassment, with Murphy filing a temporary restraining order against Abrum and later pushing back against the allegations in media interviews [6]. These tensions occurred amidst broader calls from parents and advocates for a state takeover of the school district due to concerns over its accountability plan [5].\n\n## Career\n\nTamika Abrum is a community activist and former member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board [4]. She has been involved in public advocacy regarding education policy, including participating in demonstrations where parents and advocates called for a state takeover of the district to address academic struggles [5].\n\nA legal dispute occurred between Abrum and fellow MSCS board member Towanna Murphy, involving mutual accusations of harassment and a temporary restraining order filed by Abrum against Murphy [6].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n[2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[3] [Elections Calendar | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar)\n[4] [MSCS board member subject of restraining order | Education | fox13memphis.com](https://www.fox13memphis.com/education/only-on-fox13-mscs-board-member-subject-of-restraining-order/article_4453851e-e66e-46e7-a627-3d8489ea5546.html)\n[5] [Parents, advocates call for state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/education/parents-advocates-call-for-state-takeover-of-memphis-shelby-county-schools/522-bf5b3d90-4b26-4db9-bb3d-29f5ea093594)\n[6] [Towanna Murphy pushes back on restraining order filed against her](https://wreg.com/news/mscs-board-member-towanna-murphy-pushes-back-on-restraining-order-filing/)\n[7] [Tennessee's 2026 candidate lists finalized for state and federal races \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tennessees-2026-candidate-lists-finalized-for-state-and-federal-races/)","birthdate":"Sat, 25 Aug 1979 00:00:00 GMT","firstname":"Tamika","fullname":"Tamika L. Abrum","lastname":"Abrum","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"summary":"Tamika L. Abrum is identified as a Memphis community activist and former MSCS board member involved in a restraining order dispute with Towanna Murphy.","token":"65fBsPrqSA"},{"bio_snippet":"Tamika L. Abrum is a Democratic candidate for TN Senate District 33 in 2026, describing herself as a lifelong Memphis resident and community advocate focused on housing, mental health, and education.","biography":"## Current office and campaign\n\nTamika L. Abrum is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee State Senate District 33 in the 2026 election [2]. She describes herself as a lifelong resident of Memphis, Shelby County [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nAbrum characterizes her approach to public service as listening-first, citing years of engaging with families, parents, and seniors in the community [1].\n\n## Policy positions\n\nAbrum has stated that her campaign priorities include bringing accountability and transparency to government, addressing affordable housing shortages, expanding mental health support, and investing in public education for District 33 residents [1].\n\n## Family\n\nAbrum identifies as a devoted mother [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61588399715224/posts/hello-district-33my-name-is-tamika-abrum-and-im-proud-to-call-memphis-my-lifelon/122105274891279990/)\n[2] [BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/tamika-l-abrum)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tamika L.","fullname":"Tamika L. Abrum","lastname":"Abrum","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Tamika L. Abrum is a Democratic candidate for TN Senate District 33 in 2026, describing herself as a lifelong Memphis resident and community advocate focused on housing, mental health, and education.","token":"mJDoXIpWa7"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Wilkes County since 1988.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Kenneth Brandon Absher is a registered voter in Wilkes County, North Carolina, registered since 1988 (38 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Kenneth Brandon Absher's year of birth as 1969; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 11 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\n**Kenneth Brandon Absher was a Republican candidate for the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners in the March 3, 2026 primary (vote for two) and did not advance, finishing third of eight candidates with 947 votes; H.S. Greene (1,276 votes) and G. Keith Elmore (1,139 votes) won the two nominations.** [3]\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Kenneth Brandon Absher can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (ncvhis_Statewide), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 official March 3, 2026 primary results, Wilkes County (WILKES_PRECINCT_SORT.txt), accessed 2026-07-23: https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_precinct_sort/WILKES_PRECINCT_SORT.txt","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Kenneth","fullname":"Kenneth Brandon Absher","lastname":"Absher","middlename":"Brandon","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Wilkes County since 1988.","token":"4b2168b3a39aa7ae"},{"bio_snippet":"Libertarian candidate Maad Abu\u2011Ghazalah is running for U.S. House in North Carolina\u2019s 7th District in 2026, bringing a background in law, tech entrepreneurship, and animal\u2011rights activism.","biography":"Maad Abu\u2011Ghazalah is the Libertarian Party nominee for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina\u2019s 7th Congressional District in the 2026 general election. The Libertarian primary for the race was cancelled, and he advanced to the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 ballot alongside Republican incumbent David\u202fRouzer, Democrat Kimberly\u202fHardy, and Independent Michael\u202fHenry [1].\n\nBorn in Nablus, Palestine, Abu\u2011Ghazalah grew up in the Middle East before moving to England for secondary school and later to the United States for higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Notre\u202fDame in 1983, a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Virginia in 1985, and a Juris Doctor from Santa\u202fClara University in 1993 [12][14].\n\nAfter law school, Abu\u2011Ghazalah practiced law and later founded a Silicon Valley startup that created software for patent attorneys. The company was sold to Bloomberg Law in 2012, providing the capital that enabled him to pursue philanthropic work in his homeland. In 2014 he purchased an olive grove in the West Bank village of Asira and established Daily\u202fHugz, an animal sanctuary that rescues and cares for abandoned donkeys, dogs, and other animals while offering educational programs and a safe play space for local children [12][19][17].\n\nAbu\u2011Ghazalah\u2019s political experience dates back to the early 2000s. He ran as the Libertarian candidate for California\u2019s 12th Congressional District in the 2002 general election, receiving 11,006 votes, and later entered the Democratic primary for the same district in 2004, where he lost with 19.9\u202f% of the vote [7]. He has remained active in third\u2011party politics, most recently seeking the Libertarian nomination for North Carolina\u2019s 7th District. The Libertarian primary was cancelled, and he automatically advanced to the general election ballot [1][3].\n\nWhile he has not completed Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, Abu\u2011Ghazalah\u2019s campaign emphasizes typical Libertarian principles such as limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. His personal background as a Palestinian\u2011American entrepreneur, attorney, and animal\u2011rights advocate informs his public messaging, which highlights both his professional experience and his commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes. The campaign website listed on multiple sources is\u202fhttp://www.maad4congress.org, and a later interview directs voters to\u202fhttps://getmaad.org for additional information [13][14].\n\nIf elected, Abu\u2011Ghazalah would join the 120th\u202fCongress, where the House currently holds a narrow Republican majority. His candidacy adds a third\u2011party perspective to a district that has historically leaned Republican, offering voters an alternative to the two major parties.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Maad Abu-Ghazalah - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Maad_Abu-Ghazalah)\n- [2] [United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [3] [North Carolina's 7th Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina's_7th_Congressional_District_election,_2026)\n- [4] [Maad Abu-Ghazalah # 224961 - Attorney Licensee Search](https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/224961)\n- [7] [JoinCalifornia - Maad Abu-Ghazalah](https://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5030)\n- [9] [Maad Abu-Ghazalah](https://www.facebook.com/maad.abughazalah/)\n- [11] [Jamal interviews Maad Abu-Ghazalah, Founder ...](https://www.facebook.com/ArabTalkRadio/videos/daily-hugzdo-we-all-need-one/1586726481490084/)\n- [12] [CoastLine: Palestinian-American on his culture and why he started rescuing animals in the West Bank | WHQR](https://www.whqr.org/show/coastline/2023-12-19/coastline-palestinian-american-on-his-culture-and-why-he-started-rescuing-animals-in-the-west-bank)\n- [13] [Interview with the North Carolina Libertarian Party's 7th Congressional District Candidate Maad Abu-Ghazalah - Long Live Alternative Parties | Podcast on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6t7XS52hJWtFM0PVK0b3Lc)\n- [14] [Maad Abu-Ghazalah (Libertarian) | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/story/maad-abu-ghazalah-libertarian)\n- [17] [History \u2014 Daily Hugz](http://www.dailyhugz.org/new-page)\n- [18] [Maad Abu-Ghazalah - Middle East Research and Information Project](https://www.merip.org/author/maad-abu-ghazalah/)\n- [19] [Abu-Ghazalah, Maad - Animal Law Conference](https://www.animallawconference.org/speaker/abu-ghazalah-maad/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Maad","fullname":"Maad Hatiz Abu-Ghazalah","lastname":"Abu-Ghazalah","middlename":"Hatiz","suffix":null,"summary":"Libertarian candidate Maad Abu\u2011Ghazalah is running for U.S. House in North Carolina\u2019s 7th District in 2026, bringing a background in law, tech entrepreneurship, and animal\u2011rights activism.","token":"99e468f26acea1b1"}]