C.J. Pearson, who is on the ballot Tuesday for the special election in 125th District to fill a recently-vacated seat in Georgia’s State House, told The Georgia Star News about his “incredible journey” that began as a preteen political commentator nearly a decade ago and may have landed him within days of officially entering politics as an elected official.
Pearson, the 21-year-old candidate who has faced intense criticism from parties connected to Governor Brian Kemp that Pearson previously characterized as “rogue,” answered his critics, told Star News what his priorities will be if elected, and promised to leverage his potential status as the youngest elected black politician to help Georgia Republicans achieve new heights.
Entering Politics
“When I first got involved, I was a 12 or 13-year-old kid who just believed that conservatives values are the values I held,” said Pearson, referencing early videos in which he professed conservative principles. He explained, “I grew up learning the importance of God, faith and family and those have been the North stars of my life until this day.”
Pearson said he hopes his career, and now his candidacy, will motivate more young people to use their voice in politics.
“More and more young people need to get involved, to wake up, and to wrestle back control of this country from the radical left, because if we don’t, we have the most to lose,” said Pearson. “We’re going to have to raise our children in this state one day, we’re going to have to see them grow up in this country one day.”
Referencing the criticism levied against him, Pearson told Star News, “That’s why I will take the lashes, I’ll take the hits, the false attacks, because I think at the end of the day the next generation, which is ironic because I’m Gen Z, deserves to grow up in America just as great as the one I knew. ”
“Ronald Reagan once said that freedom is just one generation away from extinction.” Pearson said, “I refuse to allow it to be my generation where freedom goes extinct.”
Pearson’s Ties to District 125
Attacks levied against Pearson by those allied with Kemp included a failed legal challenge to Pearson’s residency. Asked about his ties to the district, Pearson explained he’s been a lifelong resident.
“I grew up here in Columbia County. I went to elementary school here, middle school here, and graduated from high school here. I’ve always called it home, it’s where I’m registered to vote and where I pay my taxes and all those important things, but this attack was made in an attempt to do to me what was done to president trump: to kick me off the ballot under false pretenses,” he told Star News, adding that a legal challenge to his residency was dismissed on Friday.
Many of the same criticisms claimed his employment with Prager University, the conservative nonprofit that creates pro-America educational materials, is evidence of Pearson’s questionable conservative values due to Prager’s physical headquarters being located in California.
“I spent a year at PragerU, fighting to reach America’s next generation with bold truth and ideas, and I’m incredibly proud of my time spent at PragerU,” Pearson told Star News. “It’s one of the most effective conservative organizations in America, and they are right there in the belly of the beast in California, and I think that’s for a reason.”
He explained, “We as conservatives can’t just flee and let the left have their way with any place they’re located. We should fight.
“Almost every important fight I’ve been there, whether it’s the fight for election integrity, the fight against Critical Race Theory, or the fight to protect women’s sports, I’ve been there and ready to go to battle against those issues.”
Pearson added, “I would argue I’ve been doing conservative politics longer than my opponents, and they’ve got a few years on me.”
How to Investigate Fani Willis
Pearson pointed toward impeachment when asked what the Georgia General Assembly should to about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who allegedly financially benefited from her extramarital affair with Nathan Wade, the under qualified attorney she appointed to oversee her case against former President Donald Trump.
“She needs to be impeached, it’s as simple as that,” said Pearson. “She needs to be impeached not only for her political prosecution of President Trump and conservative activists all across the state, but also due to the allegations of her using taxpayer dollars to fund her affair with a married man.”
In Pearson’s view, the only reason Willis remains in her position is due to her political affiliation.
“It’s clear as day that if any Republican did what she was accused of, they would be shown the door almost immediately, and the same should apply to Fani Willis here.” He added, “I think it shows a lack of courage by some in this state who refuse to hold her accountable.”
Pearson acknowledged Republicans sometimes concede they cannot impeach Willis due to a lack of votes, but said they should bring the proceedings regardless, and force “Democrats to go on the record with an argument” in favor of keeping Willis.
“Make them defend it,” said Pearson, before noting Willis accused of using “taxpayer dollars to fund her affair with a married man should be able to stay in office.”
“Why are we allowing Democrats to get off the hook for this?” Pearson questioned, “Where this is clearly an issue, there was clear impropriety, there was clear wrongdoing. She loves to talk about holding people accountable, let’s hold her accountable.”
Election Integrity
Pearson commended SB 202 and those behind it, but told Star News, “There’s a lot more work to do to ensure the integrity of our elections here in Georgia.”
“We need to be proactive in banning the left’s attempt to meddle in our elections. This entire proposal to bring up ranked choice voting in the state of Georgia should be dead on arrival, and when I’m elected I’m going to fight against it every single day,” Pearson pledged.
He also said Georgia Republicans should ban any municipality in the state from allowing illegal immigrants to vote, even in local elections.
“One thing I’ve also pledged to do is take a firm stance for the firm state of Georgia not to allow a single municipality in the State of Georgia to allow for illegal aliens to vote in this state.” Pearson added, “We are not going to follow in the footsteps of new York city and some of these other left wing states that allow for illegals to interfere and meddle in our elections.”
He summarized, “Elections in America should be decided by Americans and elections in Georgia should be decided by Georgians, and I’m fully in support of anything that helps people have more faith in the integrity of our elections, especially as we approach a very, very critical one this November.”
Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and ‘Stop Cop City’ Protests
Asked about the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and the response from protesters against it, Pearson said his message is clear: “We cannot let them California our Georgia.”
“If you come here with your antifa nonsense, your Black Lives Matter thuggery, you should be held accountable under the fullest extent of the law. We need to do all we can so they know Georgia will not be a place for social justice antics, and frankly let’s be clear, domestic terrorism,” Pearson said.
He added, “These people believe that because their feelings are hurt, because they feeling some type of way about a social justice issue, they have the ability to loot, the ability to vandalize, and the ability to burn things to the ground.”
“Not in our Georgia,” he insisted. “We should make it clear if you come to Georgia and you try to pull those shenanigans, you will absolutely be held to the fullest extent of the laws.”
Eliminating the State Income Tax
Responding to the recent move by Kemp and Georgia Republicans to accelerate the previous cuts to the state’s income tax, Pearson said he is supportive, but would like to see proposals to cut the tax rate faster until it is gone altogether.
“I support a full elimination of the income tax, said Pearson. “I think it’s time to give Georgians a raise, and a well deserved one especially as they have to deal with the consequences of Bidenflation.”
He acknowledged, “I think the way we do that might need to be incremental,” but said “it can be done at a lot faster of a rate than it’s currently being done, and I would welcome proposals that make that a reality a lot sooner than what’s being discussed.”
Pearson also suggested the current income tax rate may be politically advantageous to some, and suggested it may be more expedient for them to allow the income tax to remain due to the good will generated with repeated tax returns and income tax cuts.
“I also think there’s a lot of politicking when it comes to it.” Pearson explained, “I think it’s a little self serving, there’s a lot of politicians who like to brag about surpluses and sending money back to the taxpayers. Wouldn’t it be great if that money never left their pockets to begin with, and that way we wouldn’t have to send it back to them and could save a little money on postage?”
He added, “Whenever I talk to career politicians about eliminating the state income tax they say it’s impossible because we spend too much money. I say that is the problem, let’s cut spending, and maybe then we can eliminate the stat income tax and give Georgians what they deserve, more money in their pocket.”
Pearson also noted that neighboring states have been able to operate without income taxes.
“We should eliminate the state income tax completely and entirely.” He declared, “If Florida can do it and Tennessee can do it, we can do it here in the State of Georgia.”
The Georgia Establishment
Pearson previously referred to critics behind mailers and robocalls against him as “The Atlanta Swamp,” and told Star News he believes they hold animosity against him because of his support for former President Donald Trump.
“The reason they’re attacking me is clear, I unequivocally stand with President Trump. I did so in 2016, I did again in 2020, and I do right now in 2024, and that makes them angry,” Pearson explained.”
He said these political actors also “realize I’m unbought and unbossed. I’m not running to serve those people, I’m running to serve the people in my district and in my community, that will always be my mission when I’m under the Gold Dome.”
“They don’t like actual fighters anymore, and I think it’s telling.” Pearson added, “They would rather have a go-along to get-along Republican elected in this seat than someone who is actually going to fight for conservative values, which are the foundation of our state. ”
Still, Pearson said he is open to working with all Republicans in the Georgia House of Representatives to advance conservative issues, and said those who may be leery of his candidacy may find a partner if he is elected.
“I look forward to working with all Republicans in any capacity to advance conservative values in this state. Where we do agree, they can always have a partner with me.” Still, he acknowledged, “When it comes to fighting for conservative values and for the America First movement and ensuring our state reflects the values that make it great, I’m going to stay consistent, but I will work with them as much as I can to make Georgia good place to work, life, and raise our children.”
Pearson, who has formerly advised a gubernatorial campaign, also addressed possible concerns he wants to use the Georgia House seat as a launching pad to advance his political career.
“The Georgia Constitution is pretty clear,” he told Star News, “Any higher office I wish to pursue, well I can’t do that until I’m 25, so I have a few years ahead of me.” Pearson is currently 21, and will not be eligible for office higher than the Georgia House of Representatives until 2029.
He added, “The way I was raised, my grandfather always taught me, don’t think about the next job, focus on doing your current job as best as you can do. So I’m not focused on higher office in any way, I haven’t thought about it. What I’m focused on is winning this election and doing the best I can, if elected, to be the best State Representative as I can for as long as the good people of the 125th District will have me.”
Pearson also stressed his value to the ticket as a young, black Republican, though said he personally does not care about race.
“When we win this race, the youngest black legislator in America is going to be a MAGA Republican. I couldn’t care less about race, but I’ve got to say, that’s going to make the left pretty damn mad,” said Pearson.
“They realize that it’s going to be an opportunity to me to go to communities we’re going to need to win in 2024 and we’re going to need to win in 2026,” when term limits will preclude Kemp from seeking another term.
The candidate added, “I’ve always said we’ve got to do more than just preach to the choir, but actually grow the congregation, and that’s what I intend to do after winning.”
Pearson is running in the February 13 “jungle primary” called after former Representative Barry Fleming accepted the offer of a judgeship by Kemp. Other candidates who will be on the ballot include Republicans Gary Richardson and Jim Steed, Democrat Kay Turner, and Libertarian John Turpish.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photos by CJ Pearson.
