(The Center Square) – Tennessee Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen will have a primary challenge for his 11th term in the 9th Congressional District.
State Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, said Wednesday he is running.
Pearson garnered national attention in 2023 when he and Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, were expelled by the state House of Representatives for protesting on the House floor after a school shooting. He, Jones and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Nashville, were dubbed the “Tennessee Three.”
Johnson was not expelled. Pearson and Jones were reinstated to the House.
Recently, Pearson has been outspoken about the xAI data center, saying the center was contributing to the area’s pollution. However, tests conducted for the city of Memphis by a third party showed that levels of benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter were far beneath any level of health concern, according to a release.
Pearson’s campaign site also says he supports Medicare for All. As for guns, he backs mandatory waiting periods and firearm education before purchases.
A group called Justice Democrats lists Pearson’s campaign on its website. The group also backs Democratic U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexander Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
“You may know state Rep. Pearson from when he made national headlines in 2023 for being expelled from the TN State House for protesting gun violence,” Justice Democrats wrote on social media. “He’s challenging 20-year incumbent Steve Cohen who’s been in public office for 40+ years.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful before publication getting comment from Cohen’s campaign.
