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Image for Justin Pearson wins Tennessee Democratic House primary in district reshaped by GOP

Justin Pearson wins Tennessee Democratic House primary in district reshaped by GOP

MS NOW · August 7, 2026

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The “Tennessee Three” lawmaker defeated state Sen. London Lamar after a bitter redistricting fight dismantled the state’s longtime majority-Black congressional district.

State Rep. Justin Pearson won Tennessee’s Democratic primary for the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District on Thursday, delivering a victory for the party’s progressive wing after a bitter redistricting fight that dismantled the state’s longtime majority-Black district.

Pearson defeated state Sen. London Lamar, a fellow Memphis Democrat, along with community activist M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams and physician Jim Torino. The victory marks the latest chapter in Pearson’s rapid political rise, three years after he gained national attention as one of the “Tennessee Three” lawmakers expelled from the state House following a gun-control protest.

Pearson, who was later reinstated to his seat, is seeking to succeed longtime Democratic R…