Posted 4/10/23

Two former Black Democratic lawmakers who were expelled by Republican colleagues in Tennessee say they want to be reappointed, and then elected back to their seats, following their ouster for a protest on the House floor urging passage of gun-control measures in the wake of a deadly school shooting.

Nashville’s metro council is likely to reappoint Justin Jones to the seat during a specially called meeting today (Monday). The chairman of the Shelby County Commission, said that the panel will consider reappointing Justin Pearson, who is from Memphis, to his seat.

The expulsions have made Tennessee a new front in the battle for the future of American democracy. The former lawmakers have quickly drawn prominent supporters. President Joe Biden spoke with them and Vice President Kamala Harris visited them in Nashville.