Linda Elam

Linda Carol Elam (born June 23, 1959) is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013, representing the 57th district. She also served as the mayor of Mount Juliet.

Early life and education Linda Carol Elam was born on June 23, 1959, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, earning her undergraduate degree in business administration in 1981. In 1992, she graduated with a JD from the university's Winston College of Law.

She has been a member of the board of directors of Summit Medical Center.

In 2012, Elam was challenged by Lynn, who was now seeking election back to her old seat. Elam criticized Lynn for running in a district in which she no longer lived and challenged Lynn to a debate. Lynn ignored the invitation, though she promised to move into the district by the time of the general election. Despite the controversies, Lynn defeated Elam by a wide margin and went on to win the general election unopposed. Later, Elam agreed to resign from the mayorship on March 31 to focus on her job in the legislature.

In 2012, Elam sponsored a bill requiring all candidates for office in Tennessee to produce several documents, including a long-form birth certificate. When asked by House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick if the legislation would keep Barack Obama off Tennessee's ballots, Elam responded that she did not know, but insisted that the legislation was "not a birther bill." Elam had also listed McCormick as a co-sponsor on the bill, apparently without his knowledge. The proposal was eventually postponed without debate, before expiring at the end of the assembly.

Personal life Elam is single. She is a Baptist.