Tom Leatherwood resides in the town of Arlington and is currently Shelby County Register of Deeds. Prior to his post as County Register, he served as a State Senator for eight years.

Tom graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and then worked several years managing a field crew in the oil exploration industry. Later, he attained his teaching certificate from Middle Tennessee State University and taught in public schools.

Tom is married to Melissa Mills Leatherwood who grew up in Hardin County and McNairy County. She is the daughter of Estel Mills and Mary Ruth Holt Mills. Tom and Melissa have four daughters: Celia, Hannah, Amanda, and MaryKate. They are active members of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett.
 

In the Senate, Leatherwood helped defeat the state income tax in 1992 and in 2000. During his eight year tenure, Tom offered strong leadership and advanced pro-family legislation, conservative ideas, and fiscal responsibility. He was Vice-Chairman of the Education Committee and Vice-Chairman of the General Welfare Committee. Tom served on the Finance Ways and Means Committee and was also the Assistant Republican Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus. At the end of his second term, he fulfilled his term limits campaign promise and did not run for a third term to the State Senate.

As Register of Deeds for Shelby County, Tom has streamlined the office, cut expenses, and reduced customer fees. With his leadership, the office has digitized property records back to the early 1800’s and made records available for free via the website, http://register.shelby.tn.us. The data has also has been expanded to include aerial photos and genealogical information. Effective management has allowed the office to run on fees at no cost to the taxpayer and to produce surpluses for the county.

As a congressman, Leatherwood will work to:

• Make current tax cuts permanent and then further reduce taxes to truly stimulate the economy

• Stop spending money the U.S. does not have, and therefore must borrow from foreign countries like China (the top holder of U.S. debt)

• Stop earmarks and pork-barrel spending that help create huge deficits

• Allow more domestic oil production, eliminate regulations that restrict refining and repeal federal regulations that impede the development of new energy sources

• Win the war on terror abroad & protect our citizens at home

• Secure our borders and enforce existing immigration laws

• Simplify tax code & reduce regulations on business

• Support a constitutional amendment to protect the sanctity of life and marriage

• Support our right to keep and bear arms

Anyone interested in more information or helping with the campaign may contact Tom at 901-867-7780. Voters may also send email to: tomleatherwood@bellsouth.net or may write to: Tom Leatherwood for Congress, P.O. Box 738, Arlington, TN 38002.