State Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis lawmaker who rose to prominence in 2023 as part of the Tennessee Three, announced Wednesday that he is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, joining a wave of young progressives. call for generational change within the party.
In his start videoPearson described himself as “a Memphian, born and raised, who understands how to build bridges across races, identities, ethnicities and generations to build the future we want to live in.”
“We always stand up to those who try to silence us, push us to the periphery, push us back to the places that should represent us,” he added. “Now I’m ready to fight for us in the US Congress.”
The challenge marks the latest flashpoint between young activists and longtime officials. Pearson, 30, is still a relative newcomer and has deep roots in the Memphis organization, while Cohen, 76, has represented the city since 2007.
Pearson told New York Times he's framing the race not around age but around urgency, arguing Memphis needs bolder leadership at a time under President Donald Trump sent federal agents and there is I'm sending now National Guard troops are fighting crime in the city.
“It's about us being able to fight for our families, for our values, for our future at this point in time,” he said.
Pearson became a national figure after he and fellow MP Justin Jones were excluded by the GOP-dominated Tennessee Legislature in 2023 for joining gun control protests in the House. Both were reinstated days later, while their colleague, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, barely survived her own expulsion vote. The trio became known as the Tennessee Three, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars from supporters across the country. Johnson later ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate.
Cohen's seat – Tennessee's 9th Congressional District – securely democraticThat means the August primary will almost certainly determine the winner. The congressman, a member of the House Progressive Caucus and the only representative of the Tennessee Democratic Party in Washington, has already said he intends to run again.
Last fall Cohen told Axios he “wasn't worried” about the main challenge, calling it a “mistake” for anyone to run against him.
Pearson's presentation video draws on his activist roots and his message of inclusivity.
“You can’t record us without you,” he said.
Related | Democrats have promising young leaders – if the torch is ever passed
The son of a teacher and preacher, he began organizing in high school, lobbying his neighborhood for new textbooks. Later he led a grassroots campaign against a proposed oil pipeline that would pass through historic black neighborhoods in Memphis – a fight that received support from Al Gore and Justin Timberlake and ended in victory.
Now, according to GuardianPearson runs on a progressive platform that includes a plan to lower health care costs, increase housing affordability and tighten gun laws. But his message is clear: Democrats cannot continue to do politics as usual.
He also took aim at billionaire tech titan Elon Musk's plan to create massive artificial intelligence. supercomputer complex in southwest Memphisand a federal task force that Trump sent to the city. Cohen opposed deploying the National Guard but advocated helping local police reduce violent crime.
Pearson's campaign has support The leaders we deservea youth-focused PAC co-founded by gun control activist David Hogg, who has pledged to spend $1 million to help him unseat Cohen—the group's largest investment to date, according to the group. NBC News.
“Justin Pearson is a transformational leader who can inspire a new generation,” Hogg said, calling on Cohen to “pass the torch.”
He also received the support of Justice Democrats, the group that contributed to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 victory.
“This district does not have time to wait or continue with the same status quo leadership that has governed for decades,” Alexandra Rojas, the group’s executive director, said in a statement to the Times and other media.
The groups are coalescing as part of a larger movement of young candidates hoping to unseat the Democratic Party's old guard. Some longtime lawmakers, such as New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, have already announced plans to step aside to make room for the next generation.
Related | Democratic stalwart leaves Congress and says it's time to pass the torch
As the movement gains momentum, Pearson's campaign is testing whether the Democratic establishment is ready to hand over the reins of power—or whether a new fight for the future is about to begin.
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