Justin Pearson, a state representative known for his activism and backed by progressive members of Congress, has won the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. The newly redrawn district encompasses the Memphis area.
Pearson defeated state Sen. London Lamar, community activist Marion LaTroy Alexandria-Williams, and attorney Jim Torino in Thursday's primary. He is expected to face a Republican challenger in November's general election. Pearson's campaign significantly outpaced his Democratic opponents in fundraising.
Pearson, part of a group of Tennessee lawmakers dubbed the "Tennessee Three," gained national attention in 2023 for his role in a gun-control protest on the state House floor following the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. He and fellow state Rep. Justin Jones were expelled by Republican lawmakers for their actions during the protest, though both later won back their seats in special elections. A third Democrat involved, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, narrowly avoided expulsion.
Pearson has garnered endorsements from prominent national progressive figures, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Summer Lee, who participated in a campaign rally for him in Memphis last month. He also received support from national left-wing organizations.
The redrawing of Tennessee's congressional map, which divided Memphis across three Republican-leaning districts, led to the retirement of longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen. Previously, the 9th District had been a reliably Democratic seat, largely containing the heavily Democratic city of Memphis. The new map has shifted the state's political landscape, with Republicans now favored in all nine of the state's congressional districts.
Pearson's victory in this primary is seen in the context of these significant electoral map changes within Tennessee.