#tennessee three

[liberalsarecool]

Hell yes! #GloriaJohnson

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Memphis state Rep. Justin Pearson to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen in 2026 Democratic primary • Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson of Memphis plans to challenge long-time U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen in the 2026 Democratic primary.

Adam Friedman at Tennessee Lookout:

Justin J. Pearson, a Memphis state representative who rose to national prominence for his protest against gun violence, plans to challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen in the 2026 Democratic primary. Faith was a major theme in Pearson’s campaign announcement, held under a picnic shelter at Alonzo Weaver Park next to Mitchell High School in Memphis, where Pearson challenged the school board to deliver new books when he was a 15-year-old student there. “It’s not enough to just stop with the votes that you’re casting,” Pearson, 30, said. “You’ve got to be a voice of your constituents and of your people, which is why … you’ll still see me at County Commission, and City Council, and school board meetings, and Memphis Light, Gas and Water meetings, because I’m a resident of this community. I want to see this place that I love improve on every level.” Pearson began his political career as a community organizer, working to oppose the construction of a Byhalia oil pipeline through a historically Black neighborhood in Memphis, and leveraged the work into a successful run for state House in a 2023 special election.

A month after his term started, three adults and three children were killed in a shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School. Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones, a Nashville Democrat, led a series of protests that ultimately resulted in their expulsion from the state House. The duo, along with Knoxville state Rep. Gloria Johnson, were branded as the “Tennessee Three.” [...] The Cohen-Pearson race will serve as the latest test between older and younger Democrats, as the party looks to reclaim the House majority in the 2026 midterm elections. No matter which man wins the primary, the Memphis U.S. Congressional seat is considered by political rating agencies as solidly Democratic.  The 9th District, which is composed of most of Shelby County and portions of Tipton County, was designated a majority minority district in 1980 and was held by Black representatives — Harold Ford Sr. and Harold Ford Jr. — until Ford Jr. ran for U.S. Senate in 2006 and Cohen was elected.  The primary election will be held in August, and the general election will be in November 2026. 

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson (D), one of the Tennessee Three, is running against entrenched incumbent Rep. Steven Cohen (D-TN) in the Democratic primary in TN-09. This will feel like a generational battle for the seat.

See Also:

The Guardian: ‘Tennessee Three’s’ Justin Pearson launches challenge against Democratic congressman

Politico: Tennessee House primary puts Democratic Party's generational divide on display

[odinsblog]

HOW IT STARTED

HOW IT’S GOING

Tennessee Republicans are the latest losers on this episode of “Fucked around and found out”

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

[seraphic-sapphic-safehaven]

I cannot believe that the same man I protested alongside for BLM during the summer of 2020 got elected to be a state representative.... just for other lawmakers to put in a formal request for him and 2 others to be removed this year. Why do they want him removed, you ask? BECAUSE HE PROTESTED WITH 10,000+ STUDENTS YESTERDAY FOR BETTER GUN LEGISLATION, THEIR RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOL, AND MORE!!

Representative Justin Jones, also known as Brother Jones to many of us here in TN, does not deserve this. He's a fantastic organizer and now state legislator who has repeatedly put his body, mental health, and life on the line for countless people. And the other two Reps., Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson, don't deserve it either. Especially not for joining people they're meant to represent in a fight for their safety and rights.

If you wanna help them, please call Speaker Cameron Sexton's office at [phone] and leave a voicemail demanding they not unlawfully remove Reps. Jones, Johnson, and Pearson from their rightfully-elected positions. You can leave a name, real or not, and number if you want, but you don't have to. You can also email Speaker Sexton at [email protected].

PLEASE REBLOG THIS IF YOU SEE IT, AND PLEASE HELP IF YOU'RE WILLING AND ABLE TO!

[thebiscuiteternal]

The 2 expelled members of the 'Tennessee 3' win back their state House seats

Tennessee Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones advanced Thursday through a special election to fully reclaim their positions.

I knew this was gonna happen, but the fact that the Republican reps who voted for expulsion also donated thousands to their opponents just to get completely owned makes it more delicious. I hope it continues blowing up in the Repubs' faces.

[citizenscreen]

I stand with the #TennesseeThree

Representatives Justin Jones, Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson

[ineffableazfellco]

[thepoliticalfuckery]