Justin Pearson, a member of the Tennessee Three known for his expulsion and reinstatement after a gun control protest, is challenging long-time Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen in a primary, supported by Justice Democrats, as part of a broader effort to introduce younger, more progressive voices into Congress amid generational and ideological shifts.
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, known for protesting gun violence, announced a primary challenge against longtime Rep. Steve Cohen in Memphis's 9th District, supported by progressive groups seeking new leadership and addressing local issues like poverty and housing. Cohen, a veteran legislator, faces a rising young Democrat amid calls for change from party groups and community advocates.
Justin Pearson, a young Memphis lawmaker known for his activism and part of the Tennessee Three, has launched a primary challenge against incumbent Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen, advocating for generational change and progressive policies, supported by groups aiming to challenge established Democratic incumbents in safe seats.
Two members of the 'Tennessee Three' are seeking to win back the remainder of their terms in special elections, following a chaotic protest staged by lawmakers on the Tennessee House floor.
The "Tennessee Three," a group of Democratic lawmakers, met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss gun reform in Tennessee. The lawmakers hope to make Tennessee a model for the nation on gun control, despite being in a solidly Republican state. The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned without taking major action on gun control, but the Tennessee Three are optimistic for action during a special legislative session. Their influence extends beyond their home state, resonating with Americans' frustration with gun laws.
President Biden welcomed three Democratic Tennessee lawmakers, known as the "Tennessee Three," to the White House after they faced expulsion votes for disrupting legislative proceedings by staging a pro-gun control demonstration. The lawmakers caused a stir earlier this month when they took to the state House floor with a bullhorn to protest in favor of stricter gun control measures moments before protesters stormed the Tennessee Capitol Building. Biden called it an "honor" to meet with the lawmakers and touted his record on gun control during the meeting.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with the Tennessee Three, three Democratic lawmakers who faced expulsion votes over their act of protest advocating for gun control. The trio used a bullhorn to address those in the room and were accused of "knowingly and intentionally" bringing "disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives" without being recognized to speak. Biden called the Republican legislature's actions "shocking," "undemocratic," and "without any precedent." The lawmakers plan to ask Biden to declare a public health emergency on gun violence.
The "Tennessee Three," three state lawmakers disciplined for participating in gun protests, will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday. The three were punished for violating Statehouse decorum rules when they took part in a protest seeking tighter gun laws following the shooting deaths of three 9-year-old children and three school officials at a Nashville elementary school. The White House has seized on the opportunity to support the lawmakers and their efforts to ban assault weapons and stand up for democratic values.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris visited Nashville to show support for Democratic lawmakers Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson, who faced expulsion from the Republican-controlled Tennessee house of representatives after joining a protest in favor of gun control. Jones and Pearson were ousted, while Johnson narrowly survived an expulsion vote. Harris praised their courage and added that they added another chapter to a vibrant local history of civil rights activism. The expulsions are exceedingly rare, and they are generally used against lawmakers accused of misconduct more serious than a decorum breach.
President Biden invited the three Tennessee Democrats who faced expulsion votes to the White House Friday, a day after two of them were ousted from the state legislature for protesting against gun violence. The lawmakers dubbed the “Tennessee Three” faced expulsion votes from their Republican colleagues over a peaceful protest in the Tennessee General Assembly last week that violated decorum rules. The vice president on Friday called the GOP response to the Tennessee statehouse protest “undemocratic and dangerous.” More than half of Nashville’s Metro Council said Friday they will reappoint Jones for his seat, putting him right back in the House.