David Weatherspoon

David Weatherspoon is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 31 in the primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. He is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Brent Taylor [4]. Weatherspoon earned a bachelor's degree from Belmont University in 1998 and a Master of Divinity from Mercer University in 2003 [1]. He is an ordained Baptist minister who has worked as a chaplain and minister for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Franklin College, Grady Hospital, Peachtree Baptist Church, and Emory University [1]. In 2010 and 2012, he participated in White House discussions as a chaplain participant [1]. His campaign website states he holds a Doctor of Ministry degree and grew up on a farm in Hickman County, Tennessee [12].

Weatherspoon previously ran for the same seat in the 2018 Democratic primary. In that election, he received 42.7% of the vote (6,890 votes) but lost to Gabby Salinas, who received 48.0% (7,737 votes) [1]. Salinas subsequently lost the general election to incumbent Brian Kelsey [1]. Weatherspoon also ran for a seat on the Copan Public Schools school board in Oklahoma in April 2025, where he was defeated by Tony Holland [2].

Weatherspoon launched his 2026 campaign in April 2026, kicking off with an event in Germantown before supporters [15]. His platform emphasizes education spending, healthcare access and affordability, and restoring "common decency" to politics [14]. He has been identified as a hospital chaplain by local reporting [16].

Sources

• [1] David Weatherspoon - Ballotpedia
• [2] David Weatherspoon (Copan Public Schools school board Office 5, Oklahoma, candidate 2025) - Ballotpedia
• [3] Tennessee State Senate District 31 - Ballotpedia
• [4] Brent Taylor (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia
• [5] Gabby Salinas - Ballotpedia
• [6] Brian Kelsey - Ballotpedia
• [7] Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [8] David Weatherspoon v. Gayle Minard, MD | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
• [10] Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State
• [11] 2026 Election United States Senate - Tennessee - FEC.gov
• [12] Elect David Weatherspoon for TN State Senate District 31
• [13] About | David Weatherspoon for TN Senate D-31
• [14] Platform | David Weatherspoon for TN Senate D-31
• [15] Memphis area political roundup: David Weatherspoon kicks off campaign - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian
• [16] Brent Taylor reacts to retired law professor Lawrence Pivnick's petition for his state Senate seat. Hospital Chaplain David Weatherspoon also has a petition out
• [18] David Weatherspoon (@DavidWFor31) / ...

Public filings

Tennessee law requires candidates and officeholders to file campaign finance reports and a statement of interest. None of the state or county sites below supports direct links to an individual record — you'll need to search by last name on each.

Campaign finance

• State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance . Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Weatherspoon”, and submit.
• Shelby County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — Shelby County Public Campaign Finance Portal . Select the election year and search by candidate name (“Weatherspoon”).

Statement of interest (conflict of interest)

• Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search . Enter last name “Weatherspoon”and, if needed, select the applicable position from the dropdown.