Justin Pearson

Tennessee GOP Hints Special Session Rules That Silence Minority May Become Permanent
Tennessee GOP Use First Few Days Of Special Session To Pass Rules That Silence The Minority
Expelled Tennessee Three-er Justin Jones Will Introduce Gun Control Bill In Special Session
Tennessee Dems Expelled After Gun Protest Win Back Seats In Special Election
Where Things Stand: The One Tennessee Three-er The GOP Failed To Expel Weighs Blackburn Challenge
This is your TPM evening briefing.

The retired school teacher who ultimately survived an expulsion vote brought by her Republican colleagues in the Tennessee state House earlier this year — part of an effort that did ultimately expel two of her younger, Black colleagues — is reportedly planning to challenge Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for her seat next year.

No Democrat has won a statewide race since 2006, when then-Gov. Phil Bredesen secured his reelection. But a face-off between Blackburn — who has a history of staunch opposition to tightening gun control — and state Rep. Gloria Johnson, (D) whose expulsion vote was predicated on her support for children and parents protesting lax gun laws in the state legislature, could test the energizing power of gun reform in a state recently racked by a deadly school shooting.

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US Has A Long History Of State Lawmakers Silencing Elected Black Officials
These events have been shown to be a form of “white backlash” working to keep Black officeholders out of power and their constituents powerless without representation.
Parliamentary Rules Written To Protect Minority Views Are Now Being Used To Silence Minority Lawmakers
Zephyr's censure and the Tennessee expulsions show standards of decorum written by Thomas Jefferson to protect minority views are failing.
Leaked Audio Shows Tennessee GOP Infighting After Being Labeled ‘Racist’ For Expulsion Vote
"If we don’t stick together, if we don’t believe we’re at war for our republic, with all love and respect to you, you need a different job,” a Republican lawmaker said.
With Unanimous Vote In Shelby County, Both Expelled Dems Have Been Returned To Tennessee House
Second Expelled Dem Expected To Be Appointed Back To Tennessee House Today
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