Memphis Sen. Justin J. Pearson, who has become well-known for his activism against gun violence, plans to take on veteran US House representative Steve Cohen in the 2026 Democratic primary.
According to sources from the Tennessee Observatory, Pearson will officially announce his campaign on Wednesday, though details hadn’t been released at the time this article was written.
At just 30 years old, Pearson started his journey in politics as a community organizer. He notably opposed the Baiharia oil pipeline project that threatened Memphis’ historic black neighborhoods, eventually leading to his election to the state House in a special election in 2023.
Shortly after assuming office, a tragic shooting at the Nashville Covenant School claimed lives, igniting Pearson and Nashville Democrat Justin Jones to lead protests that resulted in their expulsion from the state legislature. They became known as the “Tennessee Three,” alongside Knoxville Rep. Gloria Johnson.
Since his removal, Pearson has gained significant recognition through media appearances and even met with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. A week later, he was reinstated to the state House by the Shelby County Commission and subsequently re-elected.
Steve Cohen, now 76, began his political career in the 1980s as a Tennessee Senator and has served over two decades before winning a seat in the 9th House constituency in 2006. He’s been recognized for consistently securing votes from Democrats and liberals in Congress.
Cohen has been a strong advocate for abortion rights, supported the Affordable Care Act, pushed for marijuana legalization, and voted twice for Donald Trump’s impeachment during his first term.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Cohen has faced several significant challenges and has managed to navigate them successfully.
The clash between Cohen and Pearson represents a broader competition between older and younger Democrats as they aim to reclaim the House majority in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Regardless of the outcome, the Memphis congressional seats are viewed as strongholds for Democrats according to political analysts.
The Ninth District, encompassing most of Shelby County and part of Tipton County, has been designated a majority minority district since 1980, previously held by black lawmakers Harold Ford Sr. and Jr. until Ford Jr. ran for the Senate in 2006, leading to Cohen’s election.
The primary is scheduled for August, with the general election set for November 2026.
This is a developing story.
