Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
44%
45%
Democrat
Justin Pearson
Democrat
Justin Pearson
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
$47.6K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age31 years old (Jan 7, 1995)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationTennessee
BackgroundPublic servant
EducationMitchell High School
Notable personal detailsJustin Jamal Pearson is an American activist and politician who serves as a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 86 (Memphis/Shelby County). He entered office in 2023 after a special election and later won a subsequent special election following his expulsion and reappointment. Pearson has been active in environmental justice organizing and has run for U.S. House in Tennessee’s 9th congressional district.
SourcesShowHide
wapp.capitol.tn.govfec.goven.wikipedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgpublications.tnsosfiles.comjusticedemocrats.comcapitolhillaccess.combluevoterguide.orgmultistate.usindivisible.orgworkingfamilies.orgaction.moveon.orgtnreportcard.orgtennesseelookout.comballotready.orgelectionsshelbytn.govaclu-tn.orgcapitol.tn.govreddit.comsalon.comnewspressnow.comsmartcitymemphis.comvotejustinj.comapnews.combowdoin.eduwashingtonpost.complannedparenthoodaction.orgwpln.orgclimateone.orgmlk50.comaxios.comnbcnews.comcookpolitical.comactionnews5.comnashvillescene.comtheintercept.comfront.moveon.orginstagram.comsunrisemovement.orgcommondreams.orgnashvillebanner.comcommercialappeal.comtheguardian.comabcnews.comtennessean.compolitico.comreutersconnect.comwilliamsonscene.comthenerdstash.comtirrcvotes.orgdocquery.fec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orghistory.house.govziplook.house.govgovinfo.govdocs.house.govcongress.govcohen.house.govtransition.fec.govjudiciary.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Justin Pearson supports progressive economic policies including higher taxes on billionaires and wealthy individuals, expanding social programs such as Medicare for All and a higher federal minimum wage, and using corporate tax/revenue to fund community investments and address poverty and environmental harms. He has criticized tax breaks for large corporations and argued for reinvesting corporate tax revenue into historically disinvested neighborhoods.
Healthcare
Supports healthcare as a human right and endorses expansive federal solutions including Medicare-for-All and expanded coverage; advocates reversing state-level refusals to expand Medicaid and increasing access to care. Positions emphasize universal access, protection/strengthening of Medicare and Medicaid, and affordability.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports dismantling or significant rollback of aggressive immigration enforcement (including criticism of ICE) and opposes laws or deployments that expand state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; frames immigration enforcement as harmful to immigrant communities and civil rights.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting abortion rights and opposes legislation that would significantly restrict access to abortion. Emphasizes reproductive rights as an important issue for his district and has opposed state bills that would limit abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Justin J. Pearson is an environmental and climate justice activist who has led opposition to local fossil fuel infrastructure and advocates accelerating climate action and protecting communities from pollution. His record includes co-founding a local climate justice organization, opposing an oil pipeline through Memphis, and receiving recognition from national environmental groups for that work.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports significant gun policy changes including banning assault weapons, expanding background checks, and other gun-safety reforms; has led and participated in protests and legislative efforts calling for stricter gun laws. Advocates for measures aimed at reducing gun violence and has introduced or supported bills challenging permissive gun policies in Tennessee.
Polls
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Justin Pearson for TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Bernie Sanders
Political organization
Bernie Sanders backed Justin J. Pearson's congressional campaign.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Public endorsement
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Justin J. Pearson for Congress.
Working Families Party
Public figure
Working Families Party endorsed Justin J. Pearson for Congress in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
Indivisible Tennessee
Public figure
Indivisible Tennessee endorsed Justin J. Pearson in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
MoveOn
Public endorsement
MoveOn endorsed Justin J. Pearson for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
Indivisible
Public endorsement
Indivisible endorsed Justin J. Pearson in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
Justice Democrats
Public figure
Justice Democrats endorsed Justin Pearson in his 2025 challenge to Rep. Steve Cohen.
Our Revolution
Public figure
Our Revolution endorsed Justin J. Pearson for Congress in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.2M
$1.7M
$1.1M
$550.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.2M
$798.9K
$1.4M
$77.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News