Tanya Frey is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Memphis-Shelby County School Board for District 8 in the May 5, 2026 primary. A Memphis resident of two decades, Frey brings over twenty years of professional experience as an employment and nonprofit lawyer to her campaign. Her legal career includes significant tenure at AutoZone and ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Currently, she operates Terra Firma Consulting, where she advises nonprofit organizations on leadership strategies and assists boards in maintaining member accountability. Frey holds a Juris Doctor degree and emphasizes her deep roots in the community through her family’s educational journey within the district. Her three sons attended Richland Elementary, East High School, Middle College High School, and Houston High School, providing her with firsthand insight into the local school system’s progression from elementary through high school levels. This personal experience, combined with her professional background in organizational governance and legal compliance, forms the foundation of her candidacy. She aims to leverage her expertise in nonprofit leadership and long-term community engagement to serve District 8 residents effectively on the school board.

Ayleem Connolly is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools District 8 seat on the County School Board. Currently working as a corporate trainer for a Fortune 500 company where she evaluates multi-million dollar projects, Connolly brings professional experience in large-scale project assessment to her campaign. She previously served as an educator in the district from 2015 through 2023, holding positions as a Spanish teacher and Department Chair at East High School, as well as teaching roles at Trezevant High and Oakhaven High schools. Connolly holds two master’s degrees in education and is a mother who moved to Memphis from the Dominican Republic in 2014. Her campaign has secured endorsements from Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the National Women's Political Caucus of West Tennessee. In the upcoming Democratic primary on May 5, 2026, she is competing against fellow Democrat Toshina Williams, with the winner set to face independent candidate Leigh Ann Scarbrough in the general election on August 6. Her campaign website is voteconnolly.com.