
Tom Leatherwood
Republican | Tennessee
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tom Leatherwood
Party
Republican
Election Year
2016
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Univ. of Memphis, Memphis, B.S., 1979
MTSU, Murfreesboro, teach. cert., 1988
WORK & MILITARY
Western Geophysical, field crew manager, 5
Shelby County Schools, teacher, 8
TN State Senate, state senator, 8
Shelby Co. Register, register of deeds, 16
AFFILIATIONS
Shelby Co. Republican Party, member, Life Choices (Pro-Life Crisis Pregnancy Center)
advisory board, contributor, Confidential Care for Women (Pro-Life Crisis Pregn, contributor
Memphis Union Mission, contributor, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
contributor, Faith Baptist Church, member, volunteer, contributor
National Rifle Association, contributor, Union University
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
TN State Senator, 8
Shelby Co. Register of Deeds, 16
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Shelby Co. Assessor
U.S. Congress, Dist. 7
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole
Atoka Mayor Darrell Walker
Brighton Mayor Sarah Crocker
Fayette Co. Commissioner Ed Allen
Fayette Co. Commissioner Homer Bunker
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Gun Owners of America
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Strongly Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. military should wait for militant Islamic groups to directly threaten our national security on our shores, rather than eradicate them now wherever they may be worldwide.
Disagree
The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.
Strongly Agree
I support legislation such as the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) that would prohibit discrimination against individuals, organizations and small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
The federal government should establish Common Core as a nationwide academic standard for high school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
I oppose the resettlement of Syrian refugees into the U.S. without proper vetting.
Strongly Agree
Current regulations on domestic oil exploration and drilling are more restrictive than are necessary.
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions until they are economically feasible.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds.
Strongly Agree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
Strongly Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Constitution, Voters, Congress & Supreme Court.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Life of the mother
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Mankind has a sin nature which results in the abuse of power and authority when unchecked.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. My eternal redemption is secured by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ and my trust is in Him. I am accountable to God, and I am very thankful that the Holy Spirit guides me.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Very Conservative
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
In the State Senate, I voted pro-life and defeated the proposed state income tax twice. While serving on the senate finance committee, I helped balance the state budget. On the education committee, I voted in favor of homeschooling legislation. As Register of Deeds in Shelby County, I have run my office exclusively on collected fees using no county tax dollars, while actually reducing fees.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
tomleatherwood@bellsouth.net 901-867-7780
Additional comment from candidate:
no
If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.
Invest in America’s Future
Join the movement to restore biblical values and constitutional principles in our nation by informing and mobilizing more faith-based voters with the truth.