Squad-backed ‘Tennessee Three’ lawmaker wins House primary in newly redrawn district
Tennessee state Representative Justin Pearson, one of the "Tennessee Three" lawmakers who gained national attention in 2023, has won the Democratic primary in the state's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. The victory sets up a general election contest in November and reflects the impact of Tennessee's redistricting on the race, with Pearson benefiting from strong name recognition and financial backing.
Pearson, who represents District 86 in the Memphis area, defeated state Senator London Lamar, community activist Marion LaTroy Alexandria-Williams and attorney Jim Torino to secure the Democratic nomination on Thursday. He entered the primary with backing from progressive "Squad" figures and had raised a campaign warchest running into the millions of dollars, significantly outpacing his Democratic rivals, positioning him strongly ahead of the November general election.
In short
- Justin Pearson wins Tennessee's 9th District Democratic primary
- He is one of the "Tennessee Three" state lawmakers
- Heads to November election with major fundraising advantage
Explained simply
Justin Pearson is a Tennessee state representative from the Memphis area. In 2023, he and two other Democratic lawmakers became known nationally as the “Tennessee Three” after they took part in a protest over gun policy on the floor of the state House.
Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District elects a member of the US House of Representatives, which makes federal laws. The district was recently redrawn, changing the area represented and the voters who choose its representative.
The Democratic primary selects the party’s candidate for the November election. Pearson’s national profile and support from prominent progressive Democrats have shaped the contest; the general election will determine who represents the district in Congress.