Paris, TN — Longtime educator, historian, and public servant Dr. David Webb has officially announced his candidacy for Henry County Mayor. A lifelong resident whose family has called Henry County home since 1819, Webb strives to bring a wealth of experience in education, local government, and civic leadership to his campaign—anchored in a deep commitment to faith, history, and community service, he said.
Dr. Webb has taught government and history for almost 30 years at E.W. Grove School and Henry County High School, where he also served as Dean of Students, Department Chair, and instructional leader. He has taught college-level history courses for the University of Tennessee at Martin, Dyersburg State Community College, and Jackson State Community College, in addition to writing state curriculum standards and working on statewide education initiatives.
Current County Mayor Randy Geiger earlier announced he does not intend to run again for the position. The election is set for August 6. One other candidate already has announced his intention to run for County Mayor and that is Jonathan Lodge.
David Webb is married to Dr. Michele Webb, who is the principal of Henry County High School. A product of the Mansfield community, he attended Henry School and is a proud member of Henry County High School’s Class of 1986, he said. Dr. Webb holds degrees from Murray State University and Union University, including a Doctor of Education and post-graduate credentials in administration. He is a Certified Public Administrator through the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service.
Dr. Webb was first elected to the Henry County Commission in 1994 and has served multiple terms, with a focus on planning, education, and long-term community development. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for West Tennessee Healthcare – Henry County Hospital and the Tennessee County Services Association Education Committee. Dr. Webb has also served on many local government committees including the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee.
A certified firefighter, he has also written grants and advocated for volunteer fire departments across the county.
He has served as Henry County Historian for several years and as such, Dr. Webb is a ‘recognized champion of historic preservation and interpretation’. He currently serves as President of the Henry County Historical Society and Chairman of the City of Paris Historic Zoning Commission, in addition to past leadership roles with the Heritage Center and various local and state historical events.
“A community’s future is stronger when it understands and preserves its past,” Webb said.
His leadership also includes years of service with faith-based and civic organizations. Dr. Webb has held roles in Maplewood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Mansfield Baptist Church as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. He has also served as Vice President and a board member of Henry County Helping Hand and spent eight years with the National Scouting Museum and represented the Boy Scouts of America on a national stage.
Dr. Webb’s campaign focuses on four primary goals for Henry County government: Build Trust, Communicate Effectively, Plan Responsibly, and Lead with Vision. His foundation is Guided by Faith, Invested in Our History, and Committed to a Better Henry County, and his leadership pillars emphasize Statesmanship, Integrity, Strong Character, Principled Leadership, and Financial Responsibility.
“Taxpayers deserve to know and be confident their dollars are being used wisely,” Webb said. “That means keeping spending under control so we can invest in capital improvements that truly move Henry County forward.”
Dr. Webb endorses continued investment in Henry County’s infrastructure, including the timely completion of the Highway 641 North widening project and ongoing improvements to local roads and bridges. He is committed to workforce training, educational access, and targeted economic development. His vision for community improvement includes the expansion of small businesses, strategic industrial recruitment, the development of housing across all price points, and improved awareness and access to physical and mental healthcare.
He advocates for prevention and treatment programs to address alcohol, opioid, and substance abuse challenges facing local families. Dr. Webb also supports the expansion of high-speed internet through countywide fiberoptic networks, increased tourism development, and aggressive pursuit of grants to fund key initiatives. Central to his leadership philosophy is collaboration—with federal, state, and local governments, citizen advisory groups, and faith-based institutions—to address current and future challenges.
“Henry County is ready for our next chapter—one rooted in trust, responsibility, and vision,” said Webb. “I’m running for County Mayor because I care deeply about this place and our people. I want to lead with integrity and purpose, guided by biblical principles, and ensure that Henry County continues to thrive for future generations.”