Leatherwood named Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission president

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission board of trustees named Brent Leatherwood the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy entity in a unanimous vote Sept. 13.

“Rooted in Scripture and guided by the Baptist Faith and Message, this team will remain fervently committed to carrying out our ministry assignment — faithfully serving our churches and growing our convictional presence in the public square on behalf of our convention. That means speaking with biblical clarity about the issues that matter to Baptists: the inherent value of life, religious liberty at home and abroad, human dignity and the flourishing of families,” Leatherwood told Baptist Press.

Leatherwood has served as the entity’s acting interim president since Sept. 14, 2021. He follows Russell Moore, who left the post in May 2021. Moore brought Leatherwood on board in 2017 to serve as the director of strategic partnerships.

He served as the executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party from 2012 to 2016. There, he managed the organization’s campaign apparatus at the federal, state and local levels.

He also has worked on Capitol Hill as a senior legislative aide to former Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla. In that role, Leatherwood guided the domestic priorities for the congressman on the House Budget Committee and the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.