Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, Tennessee’s Democratic heroes known as the “Tennessee Three,” reclaimed their legislative seats on Thursday after being expelled for participating in a gun control protest on the House floor. Local officials reinstated them on an interim basis, and they successfully regained their positions through a special election. Both faced opponents in districts that predominantly favor Democrats.
Jones, who resides in Nashville, competed against Republican candidate Laura Nelson, while Pearson, from Memphis, faced independent candidate Jeff Johnston. Pearson expressed his determination on Twitter, stating, “Let’s send a clear message to everyone who thought they could silence the voice of District 86. You can’t expel a movement!”
The election took place as lawmakers are preparing for a special session to address potential changes to Tennessee’s gun control laws. Although Jones and Pearson’s re-election does not significantly impact the Republican supermajority in the Legislature, they are expected to strongly oppose some of their GOP colleagues’ policies.
Last year, both Jones and Pearson were elected to the Statehouse but remained relatively unnoticed until their involvement in a gun control protest on the House floor, alongside Democrat Rep. Gloria Johnson. The protest occurred shortly after a tragic shooting in Nashville, where three children and three adults lost their lives. Thousands of protesters gathered at the Capitol building to demand stricter gun control measures, and the three lawmakers joined in the calls for action.
Republican lawmakers swiftly accused them of violating House rules and moved to expel them, a rare action that has occurred only a few times since the Civil War. As a result, approximately 140,000 voters in predominantly Black districts in Nashville and Memphis were left without representation in the Tennessee House.
While Johnson narrowly avoided expulsion, Pearson and Jones were ousted by the majority white GOP caucus. House Republican leaders denied allegations of race playing a role in the expulsions, while Democrats argued otherwise. Johnson even suggested that the sole reason she wasn’t expelled was due to her being white.
The expulsions garnered national attention and support for the “Tennessee Three.” Pearson and Jones received substantial campaign funding, raising over $2 million combined through approximately 70,400 donations from across the country. This amount far surpasses the typical fundraising for Tennessee’s Republican legislative leaders and is extraordinary for two freshman Democrats in a superminority.
On the other hand, more than 15 Republican lawmakers contributed funds to support Nelson, Jones’ Republican opponent, who raised over $34,000 for the race. Johnston, Pearson’s opponent, only gathered less than $400 in campaign contributions.
As Pearson and Jones reclaim their legislative seats, they are poised to vigorously advocate against their GOP colleagues’ policies, despite their limited influence within the Republican-dominated Legislature. Their reinstatement symbolizes a victory for the grassroots movement demanding gun control measures and highlights the ongoing efforts to fight for change.
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