Justin Pearson, a Democratic state representative from Tennessee, won the Democratic primary on Thursday for the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. Pearson, part of the group known as the 'Tennessee Three,' defeated state Senator London Lamar, community activist Marion LaTroy Alexandria-Williams, and attorney Jim Torino. He will face Republican nominee Brent Taylor in the November election. Taylor has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and has raised millions for his campaign.
Pearson has the support of prominent Democrats, including members of the progressive group known as 'the Squad,' such as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Summer Lee. He gained national attention in 2023 for his involvement in a gun-control protest following a school shooting in Nashville, which resulted in the expulsion of Pearson and fellow lawmaker Justin Jones from the state House, although they later regained their seats.
The primary took place after a redistricting process that divided Memphis into three Republican-leaning districts, leading to the retirement of longtime Democratic Representative Steve Cohen. The new congressional map is expected to favor Republican candidates across all nine districts in Tennessee.