Justin Jones is reappointed to Tennessee House seat, just days after expulsion

Nashville’s Metro Council has unanimously voted to reinstate freshman Democrat Justin Jones to his seat in the Tennessee House. The GOP-led legislature expelled Jones last week for gun reform protests he led on the chamber floor after the Covenant School shooting.

More: Tennessee House Republicans expel 2 young Black Democrats for gun protests after Covenant School shooting

The vote puts Jones into the seat on an interim basis.

“Justin Jones has been elected to the vacancy of Tennessee House 52 pursuant to the state law and the rules governing the Metropolitan Council,” Vice Mayor Jim Shulman announced at Monday’s specially called meeting, as cheers erupted in the gallery. 

Metro Council rules ordinarily require members to wait four weeks before filling vacancies in the state legislature. But no members objected to moving faster in this case. 

Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda thanked her constituents for voicing their thoughts on the matter:  

“I know that community members called and emailed us, and I think they did a great job because we didn’t have a single objection to suspension of the rules today,” Sepulveda said.

More: The nation reacts to the Tennessee legislature’s expulsion of 2 Black lawmakers

Ahead of the meeting, at least 30 councilmembers released statements declaring their intent to vote Jones back into the District 52 seat. He needed a simple majority of the 40-member council to reclaim the seat.  

Councilmember Brandon Taylor said this vote upholds the will of the people. 

“Folks in Antioch picked Rep. Jones to lead them, and we’re going to listen to our constituents. They’re our constituents too,” Taylor said. “And we work together in a partnership in this city to make sure that we listen to the real people and fight for the real people.”

Jones was quickly sworn in on the steps of the Tennessee Capitol following the meeting. 

Hard to see but @brotherjones_ is down there with @TNDemocrats being sworn back into the @TNHouseReps. pic.twitter.com/eBpvrzzAmj

— Blaise L Gainey (@BlaiseGainey) April 10, 2023

Jones then returned to the Tennessee House, walked in by Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, who escaped expulsion with the freshmen Democrats by one vote last week.

“I want to welcome the people back to the people’s house. I want to welcome democracy back to the people’s house,” Jones said on the floor. “That on last Thursday, members of this body tried to crucify democracy, but today, we stand as a witness of a resurrection, of a movement, of a multiracial democracy that no unjust decision will stand.”

And just like that @brotherjones_ is back on the House Floor. Walked in by @VoteGloriaJ. pic.twitter.com/7r60J6uk52

— Blaise L Gainey (@BlaiseGainey) April 10, 2023

Councilmember Zulfat Suara says that even with Jones reinstated, there’s no guarantee Tennessee will see gun reform.    

“None of us should forget the reason why all of this started. It’s about the people that died. It’s about the protest for good gun law,” she said. “So personally, I hope that our state legislators listen to the people, the outcries, the rally, and make sure that we do something about gun control in our state.”

More: Black leaders call out hypocrisy and racism after vote to expel Jones and Pearson from Tennessee House

Meanwhile in Shelby County, commissioners will meet Wednesday to discuss reappointing fellow ousted Rep. Justin Pearson.

This is a developing story. This post was last updated at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10.