{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Frederick Tappan","chatgptsummary":"Frederick Tappan's biography shows extensive community leadership through twenty-nine years as a pastor and roles as a legal analyst and youth advocate, relevant to constituent relations. He holds a graduate degree from the Harvard Leadership Institute but has no prior elected office or direct experience managing school district budgets or hiring superintendents. Bio does not indicate experience in public policy judgment for large urban districts or budget literacy for operating and capital funds.","notes":"","party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nFrederick Tappan is an Independent candidate seeking election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Representatives for District 6 in the 2026 general election [1]. He self-describes as a longtime Memphis pastor, educator, and community leader who has served Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church for 29 years [2]. Tappan is also a published author, former journalist, youth advocate, Harvard Leadership Institute graduate, and works as a Regional Case Manager and Legal Analyst for Memphis Allies [2].\n\nTappan\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes an \"Education Foundation,\" the priority of literacy, a \"Two Tract Education Plan\" focusing on college and vocational training, and support for teachers [4]. He has promoted these views through a video series titled \"My Platform for Progress\" [4]. The 2026 election marks Memphis\u2019 first partisan school board election, although no Republican candidates filed for the District 6 race [9]. Tappan advanced from the Democratic primary to face other candidates in the general election [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nDr. Frederick De\u2019Wayne Tappan, Sr. is a Memphis-based pastor, educator, and community leader who has served as a pastor at Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church for 29 years [3]. He self-describes as a published author, former journalist, and youth advocate [3].\n\nTappan holds a graduate degree from the Harvard Leadership Institute [3].\n\n## Career\n\nDr. Frederick De\u2019Wayne Tappan, Sr. is a pastor who has served as the senior pastor of Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church in Memphis for 29 years [2][11]. He is also a published author and former journalist [2]. In his professional capacity outside of religious leadership, he works as a Regional Case Manager and Legal Analyst for Memphis Allies [2].\n\nTappan holds a graduate degree from the Harvard Leadership Institute [2]. He has previously served as a candidate for the Tennessee State Senate, seeking District 33 in October 2022 [10].\n\n## Office history\n\nFrederick Tappan is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education in District 6 [1]. He self-describes as a longtime Memphis pastor, educator, and community leader who has served Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church for 29 years [2]. Tappan is also a published author, former journalist, and youth advocate who leads multiple community organizations and works as a Regional Case Manager and Legal Analyst for Memphis Allies [2]. He is a graduate of the Harvard Leadership Institute [2].\n\nTappan has run in previous elections for the same office. He was a candidate in the Democratic primary for District 6 of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education in 2018 [5]. He also ran in the Democratic primary for District 6 in 2022 [5].\n\nTappan is currently running in the 2026 election cycle for District 6 [6]. The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education elections transitioned to a partisan format in 2026, with Tappan running as a Democrat [9]. He advanced from the Democratic primary held on May 5, 2026, to face other candidates in the general election [8].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nFrederick Tappan is an independent candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education, representing District 6 [1]. He does not hold current legislative office or committee assignments, as he has not been elected to a seat on the school board prior to the upcoming election [1].\n\nTappan\u2019s platform emphasizes several key policy areas, including the establishment of an education foundation, the implementation of a \"Two Tract Education Plan\" that supports both college and vocational pathways, and a focus on literacy priorities [4]. He also advocates for creating positive learning environments and providing support for teachers [4].\n\nAs a community leader, Tappan serves as a Regional Case Manager and Legal Analyst for Memphis Allies and has led Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church for 29 years [3]. He is a graduate of the Harvard Leadership Institute and describes himself as a published author, former journalist, and youth advocate [3].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nFrederick Tappan is a longtime Memphis pastor, educator, and community leader who has served Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church for 29 years [3]. He works as a Regional Case Manager and Legal Analyst for Memphis Allies [3]. Tappan is also a published author and former journalist [3].\n\nAvailable sources do not provide specific details regarding Tappan\u2019s business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or the specific source of his wealth. Consequently, no financial disclosure facts or business background details beyond his current employment roles are included here.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Frederick Tappan - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Frederick_Tappan)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Meet Frederick Tappan SR](https://www.tappanforschoolboard.com/)\n[4] [Videos - Meet Frederick Tappan SR](https://www.tappanforschoolboard.com/videos)\n[5] [Here are the Democratic Memphis school board candidates running ...](https://dailymemphian.com/article/61985/democratic-memphis-school-candidates-district-6)\n[6] [Voter guide: Memphis school board District 6 Democratic candidates - Chalkbeat](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/04/14/voter-guide-memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-election-district-6/)\n[7] [2 incumbents hold MSCS board seats - FOX 13 Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/2-incumbents-hold-mscs-board-seats-2-newcomers-head-to-general-election/article_6c9b3057-1743-41d8-b3d6-8e88f9aa3246.html)\n[8] [Memphis 2026 school board primary election: live updates - Chalkbeat](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/05/05/memphis-school-board-primary-election-results-2026/)\n[9] [Memphis\u2019 first partisan school board election draws no Republican candidates - Chalkbeat](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/02/23/memphis-2026-partisan-primary-draws-no-republican-candidates/)\n[10] [I'm Dr Frederick Tappan and I Need your vote and support ...](https://www.facebook.com/frederick.tappan/posts/im-dr-frederick-tappan-and-i-need-your-vote-and-support-as-i-seek-to-represent-y/10229425921889745/)\n[11] [About Us - Eureka True Vine](https://eurekatruevine.com/about-us)","firstname":"Frederick","lastname":"Tappan","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"hWsNj3JqMv"},"token":"frederick_tappan"},{"candidatename":"T. L. Harris","chatgptsummary":"T. L. Harris's thirty-year residency in Whitehaven and leadership of youth-violence programs demonstrate constituent relations skills relevant to District 6. His background as a police officer and current role as chief financial officer suggest familiarity with security issues and budget management for the district. Records show he pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge in 2006 while employed as an officer, though his civil rights were restored. Bio does not indicate experience in public education policy or direct school board governance.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nT. L. Harris is the Democratic nominee for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education, District 6, on the August 6, 2026 county general-election ballot [1][2]. He won the District 6 Democratic primary on May 5, 2026 by a margin of fewer than 200 votes and faces independent candidate Frederick Tappan in the general election [1][2].\n\n## Background\nHarris has lived in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis for more than 30 years [1].\n\n## Career\nHarris formerly worked as a Memphis police officer [1]. He later led five community centers for the \"Memphis Gun Down\" summer youth-violence-prevention program across neighborhoods including Frayser and Raleigh over three years, focused on programming and security to reduce youth crime [1]. Harris says he currently works as chief financial officer of a business he identifies as Wallhaven Family Healthcare; Chalkbeat reported it was unable to locate an online presence or records for that business [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nHarris's stated priorities include installing cameras in MSCS classrooms for security and to identify instructional \"blind spots,\" strengthening early literacy instruction, and expanding tutoring for struggling readers [1]. On classroom cameras he said, \"Why wouldn't you have a camera in the classroom if you want to really know what's going on?\" [1]\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAccording to Chalkbeat, \"In 2006, Harris pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge while employed as a police officer,\" a conviction documented in federal court records; he has since had his civil rights restored, making him eligible to run for office [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Memphis school board election 2026: Who are the Democratic candidates in District 6? - Chalkbeat Tennessee](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/04/14/voter-guide-memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-election-district-6/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Memphis 2026 school board primary election: live updates - Chalkbeat Tennessee](https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/05/05/memphis-school-board-primary-election-results-2026/) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"T.","lastname":"Harris","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"token":"n8qILQNHA3"},"token":"t_l_harris"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"6","districtgroup":"county_school_board","districtgroupname":"Shelby County School Board","districtname":"District 6","job_type":"school_board","o.office":"county_school_board_division_6","office":"county_school_board_division_6","officedescription":"Members of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board of Education are elected from nine districts covering all of Shelby County. The board hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts district policies, reviews and approves the school-district budget, and sets the district's goals. Board members are elected officials, not district employees; as of 2025 they are limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Regular business meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at the Frances E. Coe Administration Building, with a preceding work session.\n\n**Compensation:** members receive a per-meeting stipend set by county government; state law requires a minimum of $4/day ([T.C.A. \u00a7 49-2-202](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-49/chapter-2/part-2/section-49-2-202/)).","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on a large urban district \u2014 Memphis-Shelby County Schools serves roughly 110,000 students across more than 200 schools, with a budget over a billion dollars.\n- Budget literacy for both operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the County Commission (which appropriates) and the Tennessee Department of Education.\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent \u2014 historically the highest-stakes recurring decision the board makes.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, principals, and community members across an economically and racially diverse district.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association School Board Academy.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County School Board Division 6","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"County School Board District 6"}