Justin J. Pearson

Justin Pearson and Brent Taylor won primaries for a key Tennessee House seat, where they will face off in November in the redistricted US House seat. This contest is central to Donald Trump’s plan to retain a slim Republican majority. Republicans chose Brent Taylor, while Democrats selected Justin Pearson.

Justin Pearson and Brent Taylor are projected to win the Tenn. 9th Congressional District primaries. The Tennessee's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District is set for a closely watched November showdown.

Tennessee’s state primary features a gubernatorial race with U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose, a new congressional map reshaping Memphis districts, and competitive races for U.S. House and Senate seats. Memphis voters will select House nominees under a Republican-drawn map, and candidates in the new 9th District include state Rep. Justin Pearson and Sen. Brent Taylor.

Tennessee's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, shaped by Republican-led redistricting, has triggered competitive primaries. Republican candidates include Trump-endorsed Brent Taylor and others like Todd Warner and Charlotte Bergmann, while Democrats face Justin Pearson and London Lamar. The district, now spanning rural and suburban areas, is seen as a potential Republican stronghold.

Tennessee congressional and gubernatorial candidates are receiving high-profile endorsements as the Aug. 6 primary nears. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles relies on support from President Donald Trump and other figures, while former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher gains backing from former governors and a PAC planning heavy ad spending. Candidates like Justin Pearson and Chaz Molder also secure union and political endorsements.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was accused of using a fake accent during a Memphis rally, with critics comparing her to Kamala Harris. The criticism followed her speech about uniting Southern states and references to Montgomery, Alabama, and was echoed by figures like Michael Rapaport and Steve Guest.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was accused of using a fake accent during a Memphis rally, with critics comparing her to Kamala Harris. Social media users and figures like Michael Rapaport and Steve Guest highlighted the alleged accent shift, referencing past accusations against Harris. The rally supported progressive U.S. House candidate Justin Pearson.

A rally in Memphis supported Justin Pearson, a progressive Democrat running for Congress, following four fatal shootings by the Memphis Safe Task Force. The event, held at New Direction Christian Church in the Hickory Hill neighborhood, drew over a thousand attendees, including politicians like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley.

Over a thousand people rallied in Memphis for Justin Pearson, a state representative running for Congress, following four fatal shootings by the Memphis Safe Task Force. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley joined the event at New Direction Christian Church in the Hickory Hill neighborhood.

The family of Tyrin Johnson, a man shot and killed by the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis, is demanding the release of video footage to verify police claims that he was armed. Memphis police stated the National Guard members were responding to gunfire, while the family disputes the narrative. Tennessee Senate Democrats and local officials are calling for a transparent investigation and immediate release of evidence.

The grandfather of Tyrin Johnson, a man shot and killed by the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis, is demanding the release of video footage to verify the police account that his grandson turned toward guard members with a gun. Memphis police stated the National Guard was responding to gunfire reports, while the family disputes the narrative, asserting deadly force was unnecessary. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the case, and local Democrats have called for transparency and the release of any available video.

The family of Tyrin Johnson, a man shot and killed by the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis, demands the release of video footage to challenge the police account of the incident. Memphis police claim the National Guard members, part of a federal crime-fighting initiative, fired after Johnson allegedly turned toward them with a gun. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the case, and local Democrats are calling for transparency in the investigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit by the NAACP against Elon Musk's xAI plants in Memphis and Mississippi, arguing they are critical to national defense. The NAACP alleges the facilities violate environmental laws by operating without permits and exceeding pollution limits, while the federal filing claims the lawsuit threatens national security by disrupting AI operations for military use.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups criticize a Tennessee law prohibiting doctors from asking minors about gender identity, calling it 'medical censorship' that could harm transgender youth. The law, House Bill 1665, passed with no Democratic support and takes effect in October, requiring parental consent for such questions and restricting insurance-related gender inquiries.

The US Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map, making it harder to challenge racial gerrymandering, and triggered a wave of redistricting fights ahead of midterm primary elections. This decision is expected to dilute Black political voting power and representation. The ruling may lead to the elimination of Democratic strongholds in states like Tennessee and Alabama.

The US Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map, making it harder to challenge racial gerrymandering, and triggering redistricting fights in several states. This decision is expected to dilute Black political voting power and representation. The Voting Rights Act has been dealt a fatal blow.