After the Metro Nashville City Council unanimously named Justin Jones Monday as the interim successor to the seat from which he was expelled, the Shelby County Commission Wednesday will hold a special meeting to consider whether to follow suit and appoint expelled former State Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) as his own interim successor.
Over the weekend, Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowry released the following statement on his Facebook page:
“As the Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, I am required to make decisions as a leader regarding the actions of the body and at times my colleagues during heated debate. The protests at the State Capitol by citizens recently impacted by the senseless deaths of three 9-year-old children and three adults entrusted with their care at their school was understandable given the fact that the gun laws in the State of Tennessee are becoming nearly non-existent. It is equally understandable that the leadership of the State House of Representatives felt a strong message had to be sent to those who transgressed the rules. However, I believe the expulsion of State Representative Justin Pearson was conducted in a hasty manner without consideration of other corrective action methods. I also believe that the ramifications for our great State are still yet to be seen.“
“Coincidentally, this has directly affected me as I too reside in State House District 86. I am amongst the over 68, 000 citizens who were stripped of having a representative at the State due to the unfortunate outcome of the State Assembly’s vote. Therefore, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners will consider the action to reappoint Mr. Justin Pearson to his duly elected position to represent the citizens in District 86 for the State of Tennessee House of Representatives in a special called meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 1:30PM. I am certain that the leaders in the State Capitol understand the importance of this action on behalf of the affected citizens here in Shelby County, Tennessee and that we stand ready to work in concert with them to assist with only positive outcomes going forward.”
The political left celebrated Jones’ reinstatement as a win.
“Today we’re sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence,” Jones said.
“Today we’re sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence," Justin Jones said at the state Capitol.
The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted to reappoint him to the Tennessee House as an interim representative. https://t.co/scoStoiqCk pic.twitter.com/mPDyTl8wcn
— CNN (@CNN) April 10, 2023
Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives are all democratically elected, and the rules of the House allow for the expulsion of other democratically elected officials in the event of misconduct.
The Tennessee House Republicans acknowledged Jones’ reinstatement.
“Tennessee’s constitution provides a pathway back for expulsion,” the statement read. “Should any expelled member be reappointed, we will welcome them. Like everyone else, they are expected to follow the rules of the House as well as state law.”
The following is a joint statement by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison. pic.twitter.com/DzObeB1twQ
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) April 10, 2023
Jones, along with Pearson – if he is reinstated – will only temporarily occupy their respective offices until a special election is held. Ultimately, voters will decide whether Pearson and Jones should continue to hold elected office.
The pair were expelled from from the General Assembly last week after leading a riot at the Tennessee Capitol and commandeering the House Floor to demand gun control. The move came three days after a transgender mass shooter who targeted Christians at The Covenant Presbyterian School in Nashville killed three nine year old children and three adults.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “Justin Pearson” by Justin Pearson. Background Photo “Tennessee General Assembly” by Tennessee General Assembly.
