Justin Pearson
Won the August 6 Democratic primary with 65.8% of the vote
Justin Pearson is a Memphis state representative first elected in a January 2023 special election, who gained national attention after being expelled from and then reinstated to the Tennessee House following gun-control protests on the House floor. He is a community organizer and nonprofit founder running as the Democratic nominee for the 9th District.[3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
On the record — official actions
- action2023-04-06 · As a Tennessee state representative, was expelled from the Tennessee House on April 6, 2023 by a 69-26 vote on House Resolution 63, after participating in a March 30, 2023 protest at the State Capitol in support of gun-control laws; was reinstated in an acting capacity by the Shelby County Commission on April 12, 2023, and won a special election on August 3, 2023 to formally return to the seat.[3]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Campaign platform calls for passing Medicare for All and investing in rural hospitals and VA healthcare.[4]
- SupportsStricter gun laws
Campaign platform calls for permits to carry, a ban on assault rifles, and background checks with cooling-off periods for firearm purchases.[4]
- SupportsRaise the minimum wage
Campaign platform calls for ensuring the minimum wage is a true living wage.[4]
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Campaign platform calls for making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.[4]
- OpposesPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Campaign platform calls for fully funding public education and reining in what he calls school voucher "scams."[4]
In their words — priorities
- Campaign platform calls for a federal jobs guarantee, a true living minimum wage, and passage of the PRO Act to protect workers' right to organize.[4]
- Says he supports passing Medicare for All and investing in rural hospitals and the VA healthcare system.[4]
- Campaign platform calls for gun-safety measures including permits to carry, a ban on assault rifles, and background checks with cooling-off periods.[4]
Background
- Graduated from Mitchell High School in Memphis.[3]
- Career experience as a community organizer; founded a nonprofit organization.[3]
- Appointed by the Shelby County Commission as acting state representative for District 86 on January 24, 2023, then won the March 14, 2023 special election to formally take the seat; re-elected in 2024.[3]
Campaign money
Raised $2.3M · spent $1.5M · $845K cash on hand (through 2026-07-17) FEC filing ↗