MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 7 (DC Times Online) — Justin Pearson, a Tennessee state representative and member of the group known as the “Tennessee Three,” won the Democratic primary for the state’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, according to results reported by The Associated Press and cited by multiple outlets.
Pearson defeated state Sen. London Lamar, community activist Marion LaTroya Alexandria-Williams and attorney Jim Torino. The Washington Examiner, citing AP results, reported that Pearson received 64.9% of the vote, compared with 24.9% for Lamar. The supplied results do not include raw vote totals or a Tennessee election-authority certification.
State Sen. Brent Taylor won the Republican primary for the same district, according to AP material and reports by The Hill and Fox News. Taylor defeated Charlotte Bergmann, Jeremy Thompson and Todd Warner.
The reported results set up a potential general-election contest between Pearson and Taylor, although the supplied materials do not include a certified general-election ballot or an official canvass. The election is scheduled for Nov. 3, according to reporting summarized by Ground News; that date was not independently confirmed in the supplied materials.
Why the district matters
Tennessee Republicans passed a new congressional map in May, according to The Hill. The map divided Memphis among three districts and changed the boundaries of the 9th District. Reports described the new district as more favorable to Republicans than the previous version.
The redistricting is important because the 9th District has long been associated with Democratic representation. The supplied coverage says the district had been represented by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who is retiring. The new boundaries could make the general election more competitive and affect the balance of Tennessee’s congressional delegation.
The Hill described Taylor as favored because of the district’s Republican lean. Other reports characterized the race as a battleground. Neither description was accompanied in the supplied materials by an official analysis of the district’s voting history, so they are assessments rather than predictions of the outcome.
Who is Justin Pearson?
Pearson represents Tennessee House District 86. He gained national attention in 2023 as one of the “Tennessee Three,” along with Democratic state Reps. Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson. The lawmakers faced expulsion proceedings after taking part in a protest over gun violence on the floor of the Tennessee House. Pearson and Jones were briefly expelled before returning to the legislature, according to the Washington Examiner’s account.
Pearson’s congressional campaign received support from Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Summer Lee. Fox News reported that the three lawmakers joined Pearson at a campaign rally in Memphis in July.
The campaign also entered the primary with substantial financial backing. Reports based on campaign finance filings said Pearson had spent slightly more than $1.5 million and had $844,732 in cash on hand as of July 17. Taylor’s campaign had nearly $1.55 million available at that point, including a $1 million loan, according to the same reporting. The underlying filings were not included in the supplied materials.
What happens next?
The primary results must be finalized through the state’s election process before the nominees’ status is fully established. The supplied materials do not include a certified canvass, precinct-level results or a statement from Tennessee election officials.
If the reported results are certified, Pearson and Taylor will face one another in the general election for the redrawn district. The contest will test whether Pearson’s national profile and Democratic support can overcome the district’s new Republican tilt.
