State Representative Justin Pearson announced at Alonzo Weaver Park in Memphis that he intends to run against longtime 9th District Representative Steve Cohen in the 2026 Democratic primary.
Pearson has gained attention on a national level for his advocacy against gun violence. His campaign announcement, which took place in a picnic area beside Mitchell High School, highlighted faith as a crucial theme, a nod to his early activism at age 15 when he urged the school board for a new book.
“It’s not enough to just cast a vote,” Pearson, who is 30, remarked. “You have to truly represent your constituents. That’s why you’ll see me at county commission, city council, and local meetings. I’m a resident of this community, and I want to see improvements across the board.”
Starting his career as a community organizer, Pearson had a significant role in opposing the construction of the Byhalia Oil Pipeline through a historically black neighborhood in Memphis. This grassroots activism led to a successful election to the state House of Representatives in a special election in 2023.
Tragically, just a month into his term, a shooting occurred at Nashville’s Covenant School, resulting in the deaths of three adults and three children. Pearson and Nashville Representative Justin Jones spearheaded protests that eventually led to their removal from the state Capitol, with both being part of the group branded the “Tennessee Three,” alongside Knoxville Representative Gloria Johnson.
After his ouster, Pearson quickly increased his visibility through various media appearances and meetings with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. A week later, he was reinstated to the state House of Representatives by the Shelby County Commission and was eventually reelected.
Cohen, 76, who began his political journey in the Tennessee State Senate during the 1980s and secured the 9th Congressional District seat in 2006, is known as a steadfast Democratic voice in the U.S. House. He has consistently supported abortion rights, endorsed the Affordable Care Act, advocated for marijuana legalization, and voted in favor of impeaching Donald Trump twice.
Throughout his congressional tenure, Cohen has navigated various challenges, often with relative ease. When Pearson announced his candidacy, Cohen referred to him on social media as an “ambitious young candidate” but didn’t explicitly acknowledge him as a challenger.
Cohen stated, “We will withdraw this challenge in the Democratic primary and work with the incoming Democratic House majority to stop this out-of-control government.” He emphasized the critical current climate, mentioning issues like a potential government shutdown and unrest in Memphis.
This upcoming race between Cohen and Pearson will illustrate the generational divide within the Democratic Party as they strive to regain House control in the 2026 midterm elections. Regardless of the primary outcome, the Memphis congressional seat is generally regarded as securely Democratic by various political analysts.
The 9th District includes most of Shelby County and parts of Tipton County and was designated a majority-minority district in 1980. It was previously held by black senators Harold Ford Sr. and Harold Ford Jr. until Cohen’s election in 2006.
The primary election is set for August, with the general election following in November 2026.
This is a developing story.
