Tennessee Democratic Reps Reclaim Legislative Seats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee Representatives Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, known as members of the famed "Tennessee Three," have reclaimed their legislative seats after being expelled for their involvement in a gun control protest on the House floor.

The young Black lawmakers were reinstated by local officials but only on an interim basis. However, they have now made a triumphant return by winning a special election to fully reclaim their positions. Unofficial results from the Tennessee Secretary of State's office confirm their easy victories against opponents in heavily Democratic districts.

In Nashville, Jones was in a race against Republican candidate Laura Nelson, while Pearson, hailing from Memphis, faced off against independent candidate Jeff Johnston.

Addressing his supporters on Thursday, Pearson expressed his confidence in their continuous success, stating, "I think if we keep running this race, there will be victory after victory after victory." He specifically acknowledged the vital role of Black women and their exceptional organizing efforts in making him and other politicians successful.

This re-election comes at a crucial time as lawmakers gear up to convene a special session later this month to discuss potential changes to the state's gun control laws. Although Jones and Pearson's reinstatement won't significantly impact the Republican supermajority in the Legislature, they are anticipated to strongly oppose certain policies put forth by their GOP colleagues.

The Unnoticed Rise of Jones and Pearson

Jones and Pearson, two elected Statehouse officials, had quietly served their roles for a year without capturing much attention. However, their political careers took an unexpected turn in the spring when they stood alongside fellow Democrat Rep. Gloria Johnson to advocate for stricter gun control on the House floor.

Their protest came shortly after a tragic shooting incident at a private Christian school in Nashville, where three children and three adults lost their lives. In response, thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Capitol building, urging the Republican majority to implement firearm restrictions. The three lawmakers, armed with a bullhorn, marched to the front of the House chamber, lending their voices to the protesters' chorus demanding action.

The Republicans swiftly condemned their actions, citing a violation of House rules, and initiated proceedings to expel all three colleagues. This extraordinary measure has been taken only on rare occasions since the Civil War.

Regrettably, the expulsion temporarily left approximately 140,000 voters in primarily Black districts across Nashville and Memphis unrepresented in the Tennessee House.

Ultimately, Johnson narrowly evaded expulsion, while Pearson and Jones were forced out by the predominantly white GOP caucus.

Despite claims from House Republican leaders insisting that race played no part in the expulsion hearings, Democrats hold a different view. Johnson herself argues that the only reason she wasn't expelled was her ethnicity - white.

Tennessee Three Exceed Fundraising Expectations

The recent expulsions of Tennessee Democrats Pearson and Jones from the state legislature have garnered national attention, sparking overwhelming support for the duo and their campaign fundraising efforts. Surpassing all expectations, the pair managed to raise an impressive $2 million through approximately 70,400 donations from individuals across the country. This remarkable achievement stands in stark contrast to the typical fundraising capabilities of Tennessee's Republican legislative leaders, let alone the exceptional performance of two freshman Democrats in a superminority position.

In a surprising turn of events, over 15 Republican lawmakers redirected their financial resources to support Jones' Republican opponent, Nelson, effectively endorsing his campaign. As a result, Nelson's campaign funds have reached a total of over $34,000. In contrast, Johnston, Pearson's opponent, struggled to raise even $400 for the contest.

The outcome of Thursday's election will not only determine the fate of Pearson and Jones but also significantly impact two other legislative seats.

In Nashville, the competition is fierce as community organizer Aftyn Behn and former Metro Councilmember Anthony Davis vie for the opportunity to advance to the general election. The House seat they are contending for lies in a district located in the northeastern region of the city, which became available following the untimely passing of Democratic Rep. Bill Beck back in June.

In eastern Tennessee, the general election for the Republican-leaning District 3 presents a showdown between Republican Timothy Hill and Democrat Lori Love. This position was left vacant after former Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell resigned due to violating the Legislature's workplace discrimination and harassment policy.

Hill boasts an extensive political career, having served in the state House from 2012 until 2020 and even earning the position of majority whip. However, he later relinquished his seat in pursuit of an open U.S. House seat in 2020, ultimately losing to current Republican U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger in a highly competitive primary.