Lena Chipman
@lenaleadsoutloud.bsky.social
Hi, I'm Lena (they/she)! I'm running for Shelby County Commission District 13 in Tennessee. I'm running to transform power into progress, translate ideas into impact, and transfer privilege into shared prosperity.
Visit www.lenachipman.com to learn more!
Visit www.lenachipman.com to learn more!
Pinned
Transgender candidate announces for Shelby County Commission • Tennessee Lookout
Tech consultant Lena Chipman will attempt to become the second transgender person elected to local office in Tennessee and first in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
The first media mention of my campaign is officially out.
“One of the things I’ve tried to do is to show up and show that trans people are just like everybody else: I’m a wife, a mom, I’m a tech entrepreneur.”
Read on to find out more
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/03/t...
“One of the things I’ve tried to do is to show up and show that trans people are just like everybody else: I’m a wife, a mom, I’m a tech entrepreneur.”
Read on to find out more
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/03/t...
Happy Holidays, all!
The world is often a dark and scary place, but for today, I wish for everyone to have a bright spot and some joy, some respite from the ongoing fight for justice.
And if your birth family is wicked, you're always welcome to come here and take a rest with your found one 💜
The world is often a dark and scary place, but for today, I wish for everyone to have a bright spot and some joy, some respite from the ongoing fight for justice.
And if your birth family is wicked, you're always welcome to come here and take a rest with your found one 💜
December 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Happy Holidays, all!
The world is often a dark and scary place, but for today, I wish for everyone to have a bright spot and some joy, some respite from the ongoing fight for justice.
And if your birth family is wicked, you're always welcome to come here and take a rest with your found one 💜
The world is often a dark and scary place, but for today, I wish for everyone to have a bright spot and some joy, some respite from the ongoing fight for justice.
And if your birth family is wicked, you're always welcome to come here and take a rest with your found one 💜
Also my wife was so sweet to get up with me and the little one at 6:30 this morning while she's on winter break, to be the first to sign my petition 💜
I'm so happy for her support, her care, and to have her light in my life 💜
I'm so happy for her support, her care, and to have her light in my life 💜
December 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Also my wife was so sweet to get up with me and the little one at 6:30 this morning while she's on winter break, to be the first to sign my petition 💜
I'm so happy for her support, her care, and to have her light in my life 💜
I'm so happy for her support, her care, and to have her light in my life 💜
My campaign has officially launched -- I’ve picked up my petition! I’m running to transform power into progress, translate ideas into action, and transfer privilege into shared prosperity. I’m here to make you a believer in my leadership, our community, and a county government that will work for us!
December 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
My campaign has officially launched -- I’ve picked up my petition! I’m running to transform power into progress, translate ideas into action, and transfer privilege into shared prosperity. I’m here to make you a believer in my leadership, our community, and a county government that will work for us!
Guess what I just picked up for this afternoon?
If you're in #Memphis all I need now for it, to get on the ballot, to make history, is your signature 💜
If you're in #Memphis all I need now for it, to get on the ballot, to make history, is your signature 💜
December 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Guess what I just picked up for this afternoon?
If you're in #Memphis all I need now for it, to get on the ballot, to make history, is your signature 💜
If you're in #Memphis all I need now for it, to get on the ballot, to make history, is your signature 💜
This afternoon!
If you're in #Memphis come yap and sign! If you're not registered to vote, we'll help you get registered. If you're not in my district, come anyway to hang out!
If you're in #Memphis come yap and sign! If you're not registered to vote, we'll help you get registered. If you're not in my district, come anyway to hang out!
Here we go!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
December 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This afternoon!
If you're in #Memphis come yap and sign! If you're not registered to vote, we'll help you get registered. If you're not in my district, come anyway to hang out!
If you're in #Memphis come yap and sign! If you're not registered to vote, we'll help you get registered. If you're not in my district, come anyway to hang out!
Here we go!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
December 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Here we go!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
If you're in #Memphis come out to Just Love Coffee in Overton Square on Monday and have some hot chocolate with me and sign my petition to get on the ballot!
Transforming Shelby County is in our grasp! The time is now!
Monday, Dec 22, 4:30-6pm!
But sure, tell me how Andreesen Horowitz's investment in this startup, and this startup's business model of "lie to people with genAI content farms to boost dubious products," is a good reason to keep planet-burning, city-destroying systems around.
December 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
But sure, tell me how Andreesen Horowitz's investment in this startup, and this startup's business model of "lie to people with genAI content farms to boost dubious products," is a good reason to keep planet-burning, city-destroying systems around.
She could always reject the donations and return the money.
Admittedly my donor set is smaller, as my campaign is municipal, but I reject all corporate donations, period. And if inexplicably an AIPAC-affiliated donor were to show up, I'd return their money.
But then, I stand on my principles.
Admittedly my donor set is smaller, as my campaign is municipal, but I reject all corporate donations, period. And if inexplicably an AIPAC-affiliated donor were to show up, I'd return their money.
But then, I stand on my principles.
Laura Fine has distanced herself from the Israel lobby, but AIPAC donors are pouring funding into her Illinois congressional campaign.
AIPAC Head Hosts Fundraiser for House Candidate Who Swears AIPAC Isn’t Backing Her
Laura Fine has distanced herself from the Israel lobby, but AIPAC donors are pouring funding into her Illinois congressional campaign.
interc.pt
December 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
She could always reject the donations and return the money.
Admittedly my donor set is smaller, as my campaign is municipal, but I reject all corporate donations, period. And if inexplicably an AIPAC-affiliated donor were to show up, I'd return their money.
But then, I stand on my principles.
Admittedly my donor set is smaller, as my campaign is municipal, but I reject all corporate donations, period. And if inexplicably an AIPAC-affiliated donor were to show up, I'd return their money.
But then, I stand on my principles.
Let's talk about campaign finance and where your money goes when you invest in my County Commission District 13 campaign for the future of #Memphis and Shelby County!
December 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Let's talk about campaign finance and where your money goes when you invest in my County Commission District 13 campaign for the future of #Memphis and Shelby County!
'AI firms “ask public officials to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) preventing them from sharing information [...], operate through what appear to be shell companies...'
Just like in #Memphis!
I've got plans to take on the datacenter scourge when I'm elected to the County Commission.
Just like in #Memphis!
I've got plans to take on the datacenter scourge when I'm elected to the County Commission.
December 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
'AI firms “ask public officials to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) preventing them from sharing information [...], operate through what appear to be shell companies...'
Just like in #Memphis!
I've got plans to take on the datacenter scourge when I'm elected to the County Commission.
Just like in #Memphis!
I've got plans to take on the datacenter scourge when I'm elected to the County Commission.
I have state of the art mass transit and safe sidewalks on my wish list too, for Memphis and Shelby County!
That's one of the major reasons why I'm running for the County Commission over here, and I wish Nashville the best in finding metro commissioners who want the same.
That's one of the major reasons why I'm running for the County Commission over here, and I wish Nashville the best in finding metro commissioners who want the same.
Commentary: Columnist @angrygransaralee.bsky.social, the Angry Grandmother, has one thing on her holiday wish list: state of the art mass transit -- tunnels for Teslas won't do -- and safe sidewalks in Nashville.
All I want for Christmas is a safe place to walk and state of the art mass transit • Tennessee Lookout
Nashville and Middle Tennessee is in desperate need of mass transit and sidewalks, writes Saralee Terry Woods.
tennesseelookout.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I have state of the art mass transit and safe sidewalks on my wish list too, for Memphis and Shelby County!
That's one of the major reasons why I'm running for the County Commission over here, and I wish Nashville the best in finding metro commissioners who want the same.
That's one of the major reasons why I'm running for the County Commission over here, and I wish Nashville the best in finding metro commissioners who want the same.
December 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
'“To me it shines a light on the god-complex that AI C-suite members seem to have, and their willingness to ignore people's consent and opinions as they bulldoze their way of pushing AI..."'
You bring AI into my campaign server, you're banned. I have a strict "no generative AI" policy.
You bring AI into my campaign server, you're banned. I have a strict "no generative AI" policy.
NEW: A Discord community for gay gamers is in disarray after one of its moderators and an executive at Anthropic forced the company’s AI chatbot, Claude, on the Discord, despite protests from members.
Anthropic Exec Forces AI Chatbot on Gay Discord Community, Members Flee
“We’re bringing a new kind of sentience into existence,” Anthropic's Jason Clinton said after launching the bot.
www.404media.co
December 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
'“To me it shines a light on the god-complex that AI C-suite members seem to have, and their willingness to ignore people's consent and opinions as they bulldoze their way of pushing AI..."'
You bring AI into my campaign server, you're banned. I have a strict "no generative AI" policy.
You bring AI into my campaign server, you're banned. I have a strict "no generative AI" policy.
Did you know that on our Discord server you can volunteer -- no matter where you live -- talk with me directly, learn how to get help and healthcare in #Memphis and Shelby County, and learn how to vote?
You didn't? Now you do!
Come join us!
www.lenachipman.com/discord
You didn't? Now you do!
Come join us!
www.lenachipman.com/discord
December 15, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Did you know that on our Discord server you can volunteer -- no matter where you live -- talk with me directly, learn how to get help and healthcare in #Memphis and Shelby County, and learn how to vote?
You didn't? Now you do!
Come join us!
www.lenachipman.com/discord
You didn't? Now you do!
Come join us!
www.lenachipman.com/discord
He could certainly take on a lot more risk! "Sensitive but unclassified" and other such markings affect the source, not the recipient, unless he's signed an NDA or other contract.
"But Trump might retaliate" isn't leadership. It's preemptive compliance and he should know better.
"But Trump might retaliate" isn't leadership. It's preemptive compliance and he should know better.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said all Memphis Safe Task Force arrest information, including names, mugshots and charges, is compiled and provided to his office daily by federal officials, but he could not share it. From @anitawadhwani.bsky.social.
Federal 'worst of worst' website fails to shed light on thousands of Tennessee arrests • Tennessee Lookout
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said task force arrest information should be made public but cited the risk of retaliation to him, personally.
tennesseelookout.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:11 PM
He could certainly take on a lot more risk! "Sensitive but unclassified" and other such markings affect the source, not the recipient, unless he's signed an NDA or other contract.
"But Trump might retaliate" isn't leadership. It's preemptive compliance and he should know better.
"But Trump might retaliate" isn't leadership. It's preemptive compliance and he should know better.
Taking on this evil machine, and the corruption that allowed it to take root in Boxtown, is high on my list of priorities when I'm elected to the County Commission.
As I said recently at a candidate forum, those who harm our communities must pay reparations and we'll tax them out of town!
As I said recently at a candidate forum, those who harm our communities must pay reparations and we'll tax them out of town!
ON XAI IN MEMPHIS: “There’s a horrible, sulfurous smell in the air… residents don’t want to open their windows… BOXTOWN is 90% Black… Musk did everything behind closed doors… environmental racism… not many jobs, no direct investment in BOXTOWN…”
December 15, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Taking on this evil machine, and the corruption that allowed it to take root in Boxtown, is high on my list of priorities when I'm elected to the County Commission.
As I said recently at a candidate forum, those who harm our communities must pay reparations and we'll tax them out of town!
As I said recently at a candidate forum, those who harm our communities must pay reparations and we'll tax them out of town!
Tonight in just a few hours!
We're going live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and of course our campaign Discord with a live Q&A. Ask me anything and share your thoughts on how we transform #Memphis and Shelby County with progressive ideas!
We're going live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and of course our campaign Discord with a live Q&A. Ask me anything and share your thoughts on how we transform #Memphis and Shelby County with progressive ideas!
December 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Tonight in just a few hours!
We're going live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and of course our campaign Discord with a live Q&A. Ask me anything and share your thoughts on how we transform #Memphis and Shelby County with progressive ideas!
We're going live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and of course our campaign Discord with a live Q&A. Ask me anything and share your thoughts on how we transform #Memphis and Shelby County with progressive ideas!
We've created a Discord server for volunteers and for anyone else who wants to connect with the campaign and help us Transfer Privilege into Shared Prosperity! We'd love to hear your ideas and it doesn't matter where you live if you want to help change the Southeast.
www.lenachipman.com/discord
www.lenachipman.com/discord
Discord
www.lenachipman.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
We've created a Discord server for volunteers and for anyone else who wants to connect with the campaign and help us Transfer Privilege into Shared Prosperity! We'd love to hear your ideas and it doesn't matter where you live if you want to help change the Southeast.
www.lenachipman.com/discord
www.lenachipman.com/discord
Medicare for All, now!
Healthcare is a human right, and it's infuriating that we have a GOP plan that fails to comprehend the whole point of insurance, or the concept of inelastic demand.
There's only so much mutual aid, municipalities, and states can do to patch this mess.
Healthcare is a human right, and it's infuriating that we have a GOP plan that fails to comprehend the whole point of insurance, or the concept of inelastic demand.
There's only so much mutual aid, municipalities, and states can do to patch this mess.
Dems: let’s help the sick & poor
Repubs: let’s help the healthy & wealthy
(Both plans will fail the senate)
*Seems like the real headline is Republicans aren’t even trying to repeal Obamacare anymore*
ALSO: Making a broken system less bad is NOT an answer. #MedicareForAllNOW
Repubs: let’s help the healthy & wealthy
(Both plans will fail the senate)
*Seems like the real headline is Republicans aren’t even trying to repeal Obamacare anymore*
ALSO: Making a broken system less bad is NOT an answer. #MedicareForAllNOW
December 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Medicare for All, now!
Healthcare is a human right, and it's infuriating that we have a GOP plan that fails to comprehend the whole point of insurance, or the concept of inelastic demand.
There's only so much mutual aid, municipalities, and states can do to patch this mess.
Healthcare is a human right, and it's infuriating that we have a GOP plan that fails to comprehend the whole point of insurance, or the concept of inelastic demand.
There's only so much mutual aid, municipalities, and states can do to patch this mess.
Reposted by Lena Chipman
💯
That early voting sites aren't open second and third shift in many cities (including Memphis!) is ultimately voter suppression. Making voter registration weird with Scary Warnings is, too
One thing I'm doing when elected is expand voting access with 2nd and 3rd shift sites, rides to polls, etc.
That early voting sites aren't open second and third shift in many cities (including Memphis!) is ultimately voter suppression. Making voter registration weird with Scary Warnings is, too
One thing I'm doing when elected is expand voting access with 2nd and 3rd shift sites, rides to polls, etc.
Voting in the U.S. is an unnecessary complicated mess because that's the way the powers that be want it. If they wanted to make voting easier, we've known about the existence of Saturday for centuries now.
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
💯
That early voting sites aren't open second and third shift in many cities (including Memphis!) is ultimately voter suppression. Making voter registration weird with Scary Warnings is, too
One thing I'm doing when elected is expand voting access with 2nd and 3rd shift sites, rides to polls, etc.
That early voting sites aren't open second and third shift in many cities (including Memphis!) is ultimately voter suppression. Making voter registration weird with Scary Warnings is, too
One thing I'm doing when elected is expand voting access with 2nd and 3rd shift sites, rides to polls, etc.
Like board games?
Like solving big problems in #Memphis and Shelby County around public safety, transit, and affordability with bold, innovative, progressive ideas?
I could use your help! www.lenachipman.com and click Donate :3
Like solving big problems in #Memphis and Shelby County around public safety, transit, and affordability with bold, innovative, progressive ideas?
I could use your help! www.lenachipman.com and click Donate :3
December 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Like board games?
Like solving big problems in #Memphis and Shelby County around public safety, transit, and affordability with bold, innovative, progressive ideas?
I could use your help! www.lenachipman.com and click Donate :3
Like solving big problems in #Memphis and Shelby County around public safety, transit, and affordability with bold, innovative, progressive ideas?
I could use your help! www.lenachipman.com and click Donate :3
Even when I'm up here in DC for a conference -- I don't. Break. The. Line.
Want good coffee in downtown DC? Try maman, Zeke's, DUA, Tatte, or one of the many other local shops.
Good people don't cross picket lines!
Want good coffee in downtown DC? Try maman, Zeke's, DUA, Tatte, or one of the many other local shops.
Good people don't cross picket lines!
Behind every Starbucks drink are baristas who are struggling.
While workers are striking nationwide, support us and DON'T BUY STARBUCKS at ANY location ✊💚
#NoContractNoCoffee
While workers are striking nationwide, support us and DON'T BUY STARBUCKS at ANY location ✊💚
#NoContractNoCoffee
December 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Even when I'm up here in DC for a conference -- I don't. Break. The. Line.
Want good coffee in downtown DC? Try maman, Zeke's, DUA, Tatte, or one of the many other local shops.
Good people don't cross picket lines!
Want good coffee in downtown DC? Try maman, Zeke's, DUA, Tatte, or one of the many other local shops.
Good people don't cross picket lines!
At the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference by the @victoryinstitute.bsky.social !
I'm here to share what we're doing to build a movement to transform Shelby County government!
I'm here to share what we're doing to build a movement to transform Shelby County government!
December 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
At the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference by the @victoryinstitute.bsky.social !
I'm here to share what we're doing to build a movement to transform Shelby County government!
I'm here to share what we're doing to build a movement to transform Shelby County government!
A few notes on private equity, venture capital, and how they harm us all.
As a county commissioner, my power here is limited, but one thing I can do is keep PE landlords from buying up all the housing and jacking up the rents -- and not caring if property sits empty and turns into blight.
As a county commissioner, my power here is limited, but one thing I can do is keep PE landlords from buying up all the housing and jacking up the rents -- and not caring if property sits empty and turns into blight.
It's really important to call this out.
In the private equity and venture capital world, this is how it's done -- you get a ton of money together and invest in a bunch of companies, and it's okay if 19 fail if one wins big, or if all 20 die and you make a marginal return on the parts.
In the private equity and venture capital world, this is how it's done -- you get a ton of money together and invest in a bunch of companies, and it's okay if 19 fail if one wins big, or if all 20 die and you make a marginal return on the parts.
Rich people literally start with so much money that they can literally just throw a bunch of money at different ventures and if they work, then they lean on it and say it was their idea. When it fails, they ignore it.
It’s literally Lottery Brain behavior.
It’s literally Lottery Brain behavior.
December 1, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A few notes on private equity, venture capital, and how they harm us all.
As a county commissioner, my power here is limited, but one thing I can do is keep PE landlords from buying up all the housing and jacking up the rents -- and not caring if property sits empty and turns into blight.
As a county commissioner, my power here is limited, but one thing I can do is keep PE landlords from buying up all the housing and jacking up the rents -- and not caring if property sits empty and turns into blight.
Reposted by Lena Chipman
Today, World AIDS Day, tune in for a 30-minute panel at 3pm PT/6pm ET sponsored by Gilead Sciences featuring three Choose U ambassadors who will share real stories of resilience, empowerment, and life with HIV. www.facebook.com/newsisout
December 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Today, World AIDS Day, tune in for a 30-minute panel at 3pm PT/6pm ET sponsored by Gilead Sciences featuring three Choose U ambassadors who will share real stories of resilience, empowerment, and life with HIV. www.facebook.com/newsisout