Justin Pearson Kicks Off Congressional Run at Memphis Rally

“It’s about us.” 

That was the rallying cry reiterated by state Rep. Justin Pearson and chanted by an energized crowd of more than 100 people in Memphis on Saturday, Oct. 11, as Pearson kicked off his campaign for U.S. Congress. 

Pearson — a Memphis Democrat who gained national attention as a member of the "Tennessee Three” — formally announced his run for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District on Oct. 8 and is focusing his campaign issues that affect working-class families. 

Justin Pearson Will Run for Memphis Congressional Seat

State representative’s 9th Congressional District challenge to fellow Democrat Steve Cohen represents a generational shift

“I understand the challenges we are facing personally,” Pearson said at the rally. “I am not a rich multimillionaire with a mansion in Memphis and condo in D.C. I know what we're up against and what the majority of us are dealing with."

Pearson challenges longtime U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white and has represented the majority-Black district since 2007. The 76-year-old is the sole Tennessee Democrat to hold a seat at the federal level. 

Pearson, 30, has made it clear that he thinks the district needs new leadership that represents a younger generation. 

“Congressman Cohen has served in public service for over 40 years, and we are grateful for his service,” Pearson told reporters after Saturday’s rally.

“Things are very different than they were in 1978. Government has changed. Politics has changed. This moment that we are in requires something different. We can't keep going in this direction. We have to have a voice, a vision and a person with the energy to stand up for District 9.” 

Cohen told Axios in September that he was not concerned about a primary challenger and that it would "be a mistake for somebody to run against me," because "whoever succeeds me will probably ... be somebody whom I choose to endorse." 

The day before Pearson’s campaign announcement, Cohen took to Facebook to make a post referencing Pearson not by name but as an “ambitious young candidate.” 

“We will turn back this challenge in the Democratic Primary and go on to work with the incoming Democratic House Majority to put a stop to this runaway administration,” the post reads.

“With a shutdown, an out-of-control, power-grabbing executive, and ICE and the National Guard on the streets of Memphis, this is a time for the experience and institutional knowledge that I bring to the table.”

During the rally, Pearson noted that combating poverty is among his top issues if elected. He specifically advocated for an increase to the minimum wage — an effort he has pushed for in the state legislature that has faced lack of support from Republican lawmakers. 

Environmental justice also remains a top issue for Pearson, who started out as a community organizer fighting a proposed oil pipeline in South Memphis. More recently, he has vocally opposed an Elon Musk-owned data center, contending the center has posed concerns of air pollution in the Southwest Memphis neighborhood of Boxtown. 

Pearson highlighted affordable housing, support for veterans, health care and Medicaid expansion, and gun violence prevention as other key issues he wants to address in Congress. 

Pearson said his campaign has raised $250,000 since its launch. Leaders We Deserve, a political group working to elect younger candidates across the U.S., has pledged to invest $1 million in the race in support of Pearson, who said he refuses to accept money from corporate PACs. 

“No corporations are going to buy our voice,” he said. "No corporation is going to buy our vote. We are going to be supported by people.” 

Cohen recently reported more than $1.7 million in available campaign cash. 

The Democratic primary will be held in August of next year with the general election to follow on Nov. 3, 2026. 

Saturday’s rally took place as the National Guard began its deployment in Memphis as part of a safety task force ordered by Gov. Bill Lee and President Donald Trump. The deployment is being presented as an effort to crack down on violent crime in the city. 

Pearson told reporters that he views the deployment as illegal and a violation of Tennessee Constitution, which says the governor can call for the militia only in the case of either rebellion or invasion. 

“That's not what's happening,” Pearson said.

“We're a beautiful district that doesn't need to be occupied. We need to be supported, and the governor hasn't given any money to actually support the things that would reduce crime in our communities, and yet has passed more laws to actually make it more easy for people to access firearms.” 

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.