Justin J. Pearson Challenges Rep. Steve Cohen for Congress After Expulsion and Re-election
Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, 31, is running for Congress against incumbent Steve Cohen. Pearson was elected to the Tennessee House in 2023, expelled after a gun control protest, and re-elected the same year. He has fought a billion-dollar oil pipeline, opposed Elon Musk's xAI plant for illegal pollution in Memphis, and pushed for stricter gun laws. Pearson is featured in CULTURED's 2026 Young Activists list, nominated by David Hogg. He emphasizes people power, faith-driven organizing, and challenging corporate polluters. Pearson helped lead opposition to Plains All American and Valero Energy's pipeline. He credits his re-election to the people and warns against authoritarianism in Republican supermajority statehouses. He urges young Americans to engage in local government and run for office.
Key facts
- Justin J. Pearson is a Tennessee State Representative first elected in 2023.
- He was expelled from office after a gun violence protest but re-elected by year's end.
- He is currently challenging Representative Steve Cohen for a seat in Congress.
- Pearson helped stop a billion-dollar oil pipeline in Memphis.
- He opposed Elon Musk's xAI plant for running dirty gas turbines without a permit.
- xAI's operations in Memphis and Southaven, Mississippi involve 27 methane gas turbines without permits.
- Pearson was nominated by David Hogg for CULTURED's 2026 Young Activists list.
- He advocates for stricter gun control, limiting ICE power, and a greener economy.
Entities
Artists
- Justin J. Pearson
- David Hogg
- Elon Musk
- Steve Cohen
- Barack Obama
- Brian Cohen
Institutions
- Tennessee House of Representatives
- Democratic National Committee
- Leaders We Deserve
- March For Our Lives
- CULTURED
- Plains All American
- Valero Energy Corporation
- xAI
Locations
- Memphis
- Tennessee
- Southaven
- Mississippi