Justin J. Pearson

Justin J. Pearson is a Tennessee state legislator and community organizer whose career focuses on environmental justice, gun safety, and economic equity. Pearson serves as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing the 86th district, which includes parts of Memphis. He was elected to office at age 28, becoming one of the youngest lawmakers in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Pearson graduated from Bowdoin College with a major in government and legal studies and a minor in education studies, and later served as special assistant to the CEO at Year Up, a national workforce development nonprofit in Boston focused on social, racial, and economic justice.

Before entering elected office, Pearson was active as a grassroots organizer. During the pandemic, he returned to Memphis and co-founded Memphis Community Against the Pipeline, now known as Memphis Community Against Pollution. Under his leadership and in collaboration with residents and community organizations, the group successfully opposed a multi-billion dollar crude oil pipeline project that would have passed through predominantly Black neighborhoods in south Memphis and over the Memphis sand aquifer, a vital water source for the area. Public figures such as Justin Timberlake and former Vice President Al Gore supported the effort. The Sierra Club recognized Pearson as National Changemaker of the Year, and The Root included him among the 100 Most Influential Black Americans. In 2026, he was one of the subjects in the documentary "This Is Not a Drill," which highlights his activism against Big Oil and environmental racism.

Pearson gained national attention when the Tennessee State House, led by Republicans, voted to expel him and Justin Jones, both Black Democratic members, for participating in a gun control protest on the House floor following a school shooting in Nashville. Six days after his expulsion, Pearson was reappointed to the Tennessee House by a unanimous vote of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. President Joe Biden invited Pearson to the White House to discuss gun legislation, and Pearson appeared on national news programs to advocate for gun safety. He subsequently won reelection, reinforcing his support among constituents.

As a legislator, Pearson has introduced numerous bills despite opposition from the Republican majority in the Tennessee General Assembly, including HB 1390, which would create a petition for an extreme risk protection order to prevent individuals deemed dangerous from possessing firearms. He has hosted more than a dozen town halls on state government affairs and multiple air pollution forums in Shelby County to educate residents about air quality issues in the Mid-South. Pearson has been invited to deliver public lectures, including the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture at Bowdoin College.

Pearson has announced a campaign for Tennessee's 9th congressional district, launching his bid at Alonzo Weaver Park near Mitchell High School, where he previously advocated for educational resources as a student. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, gun legislation, federal funding to address poverty and crime, Medicare for All, and support for military veterans. Pearson entered the race with backing from Justice Democrats and Leaders We Deserve, highlighting his role in progressive political leadership.