Rep. Steve Cohen announces he will not seek reelection after Tennessee’s GOP-led redistricting splits his Memphis district, a move he says dilutes Black voting power. Cohen may reconsider if legal challenges to the new map succeed.
Posts tagged as “Justin J. Pearson”
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to return expelled Tennessee Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson back to the state House on Wednesday. The confirmation of Pearson's reappointment was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, and support from both sides of the aisle. Pearson expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, and his return to the House of Representatives is a victory for gun reform advocates in the state of Tennessee.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Justin Pearson and Justin Jones to the Tennessee House of Representatives, after the legislature had voted to expel them for participating in a protest against gun violence. The two lawmakers have vowed to continue their fight for gun reform, and their reinstatement is a reminder that the people's voices cannot be silenced.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reinstate state Rep. Justin Pearson, who was expelled by the GOP supermajority for joining gun control protesters after a school shooting. The vote was met with cheers and applause from a packed crowd, and Pearson said "You can't expel our voice, and you sure can't expel our fight." Pearson and fellow Tennessee House Democrat Justin Jones were both reinstated, a victory for gun control advocates who have been pushing for stricter gun laws.

Memphis-Area Officials to Decide Fate of Expelled Black Lawmakers Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones
Memphis-area officials are set to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to reinstate Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones, two Black Democrats who were expelled from the Tennessee Legislature last Thursday. The expulsion drew national attention to the state's racial and political dynamics, and on Monday the Nashville Metro Council unanimously voted to return Jones in a 36–0 vote. The decision to reinstate Pearson and Jones is seen as a major victory for the Democratic party and a sign of progress in the fight for racial justice.





