{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"William P Mouzon","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":"","party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWilliam Mouzon is an independent candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 99[1]. He is listed on the ballot for the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026[1]. The primary election for this race is set to occur on August 6, 2026[1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nWilliam Mouzon was born in Detroit, Michigan [1]. He self-describes as an independent [1].\n\nMouzon served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1977 [1]. He earned a high school diploma from Colonia High School [1].\n\n## Career\n\nWilliam Mouzon served in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1977 [1]. He earned a high school diploma from Colonia High School [1]. His professional background includes work as a network engineer [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nWilliam Mouzon has served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1977 [1]. His professional career includes working as a network engineer [1].\n\nMouzon is an independent candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 99 [1]. He is on the ballot in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1]. The primary for this race is set to occur on August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [William Mouzon - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Mouzon)","firstname":"William","lastname":"Mouzon","middlename":"P.","suffix":null,"token":"QKsSB39qcr"},"token":"william_p_mouzon"},{"candidatename":"Tom Leatherwood","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":"","party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTom Leatherwood is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 99, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 [1][2]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, Leatherwood is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 [1]. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTom Leatherwood was born on August 20, 1956, in Germantown, Tennessee [2]. He was born and raised in Shelby County [6]. He identifies as Baptist [12].\n\nLeatherwood graduated from Germantown High School in 1974 [12]. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis in 1979 [3][12]. He later obtained a teaching certification from Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 [3][12].\n\n## Career\n\nTom Leatherwood was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 20, 1956 [2]. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1974 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis in 1979 [3][12]. Following his undergraduate studies, Leatherwood worked in the energy industry for several years [6].\n\nLeatherwood later pursued a career in education, earning a teaching certificate from Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 [3][12]. He served as a school teacher before entering public office [2]. In addition to his teaching career, Leatherwood worked as the Register of Deeds for Shelby County until his retirement from that position [12].\n\n## Office history\n\nTom Leatherwood served in the Tennessee State Senate from 1992 to 2000, where he was succeeded by Mark Norris [2]. He later returned to elected office when he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 in November 2018 [1][2]. He assumed this seat on January 8, 2019 [2]. As a member of the House, Leatherwood serves two-year terms and has held roles including Assistant Republican Leader during the 100th General Assembly [3].\n\nLeatherwood won re-election to the Tennessee House in the 2020 general election after defeating challenger Lee Mills in the Republican primary with 72% of the vote [4]. He faced Mills again in the 2022 Republican primary for District 99, though specific outcome details for that cycle are not provided in the available sources [5].\n\nLeatherwood is currently serving his term which ends on November 3, 2026 [1]. He is on the ballot for re-election to represent District 99 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nTom Leatherwood has served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 99 since assuming office on January 8, 2019 [2]. During his tenure, he has held leadership roles within the Republican caucus, serving as Assistant Republican Leader during the 100th General Assembly [3]. His committee assignments have included membership in the Health Committee and its subcommittees, the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee, the Naming & Designating Committee, and the State & Local Government Committee [12].\n\nLeatherwood has sponsored legislation addressing various social and legal issues. In 2022, he introduced House Bill 233, which sought to remove the prerequisite base age for marriage in Tennessee, a proposal that drew significant public attention and criticism [8][13]. He also voted on or supported measures such as the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (SB 16/HB 1), the Human Life Protection Act (SB 1257/HB 1029), and Governor Lee\u2019s Pro-Life Bill (SB 2196/HB 2263) [11]. Additionally, he was involved in legislative efforts regarding DCS social worker caseloads and bills preventing challenges to House rules in state court [9].\n\nPolicy positions highlighted by supporters include fiscal responsibility, support for the education system, and community safety [7]. His voting record reflects alignment with conservative priorities, including the Business Protection Act (SB 364/HB 563) and legislation related to conscience provisions for child-placing agencies and single-sex student athletics [11].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn 2018, Leatherwood defeated incumbent Democrat Lee Mills in the Republican primary for District 99, a race that featured sharp personal attacks between the two candidates [5]. During the campaign, Mills characterized Leatherwood as a \"career politician\" who had left a mess in his previous role as Shelby County Register of Deeds [5]. Leatherwood countered by emphasizing his experience and arguing it was necessary to guide Tennessee through the COVID-19 pandemic [5]. Leatherwood won the primary with 72% of the vote and went on to win the general election unopposed after no Democratic nominee qualified [4].\n\nLeatherwood faced significant public criticism in April 2022 for introducing House Bill 233, legislation that would have removed the prerequisite base age for marriage in Tennessee [8]. The proposal drew widespread condemnation and media attention, with outlets describing the bill as an attempt to legalize child marriage [13]. Leatherwood had previously served as a retired Register of Deeds before his legislative career [12].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nLeatherwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Memphis and later earned a teaching certification from Middle Tennessee State University [3]. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked for several years in the energy industry before leaving to travel internationally for 14 months [6]. He subsequently pursued a career in education and public service, eventually serving as the Register of Deeds for Shelby County until his election to the state legislature [12].\n\nLeatherwood\u2019s personal financial disclosures are maintained by LegiStorm, which tracks the personal financial reports filed by Tennessee legislators [10]. Specific details regarding his current business ownership stakes or the exact sources of his wealth beyond his prior employment in the energy sector and as Register of Deeds are not detailed in the provided source material.\n\n## Family\n\nTom Leatherwood was born in Germantown, Tennessee [2]. He is married to Melissa Leatherwood, and they have five children [3][12]. The family resides in Arlington, Tennessee [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tom Leatherwood - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Leatherwood)\n[2] [Tom Leatherwood - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Leatherwood)\n[3] [Meet Civic Sage - Vote Smart - Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/24355/tom-leatherwood)\n[4] [Leatherwood wins primary in District 99 race, unopposed in November - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/section/metroelections/article/30134/memphis-district-99-tom-leatherwood-lee-mills)\n[5] [Leatherwood, Mills clash in Republican primary for House District 99 - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/15497/tom-leatherwood-lee-mills-house-district-99)\n[6] [Meet Tom - Tom Leatherwood](https://tomleatherwood.com/meet-tom/)\n[7] [Tom Leatherwood - State Representative](https://tomleatherwood.com/)\n[8] [Tom Leatherwood Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts Wikibious](https://wikibious.com/tom-leatherwood/)\n[9] [Rep. Tom Leatherwood Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/rep-tom-leatherwood/)\n[10] [Tennessee State Rep. Tom Leatherwood - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/307811/Thomas_F_Leatherwood_III.html)\n[11] [Rep. Tom Leatherwood - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/tom-leatherwood)\n[12] [Representative Tom Leatherwood \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-tom-leatherwood/)\n[13] [Who is Tom Leatherwood? Tennessee State Rep. wants to make CHILD MARRIAGE legal - MEAWW](https://meaww.com/tom-leatherwood-who-is-tennessee-state-rep-child-marraige-legal-bill)","firstname":"Tom","lastname":"Leatherwood","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"5huSD0f2mS"},"token":"tom_leatherwood"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"state_representative","o.office":null,"office":"state_house_99","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"State Representative District 99"}