Tennessee politics got national attention in 2023. There were protests, expulsions, culture wars and one official’s interesting social media activity brought to light. Below is a list of some of the top events from the year.
Rep. Justin J. Pearson sworn back in on first day of Tennessee’s special legislative session
Memphis Rep. Justin J. Pearson was sworn in — again. Pearson was expelled earlier this year for leading a gun reform protest on the Tennessee House floor.
The Tennessee Three are reuniting in the General Assembly after Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones were voted back in
Polls have closed, and Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, are running away with their seats.
Tennessee Three receive invitation to visit the White House
Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones are expected to head to the White House next Monday to visit with President Joe Biden.
How Nashville’s Christian communities are responding to the Covenant School shooting
In this episode, This Is Nashville explores how local faith leaders have been navigating the tragedy, which happened at a Christian school with many connections to other churches throughout Nashville.
After expulsions, Tennessee Democrats are relishing new momentum, while Republicans retreat
The world now knows them as the Tennessee Three. But just a few weeks ago, not many people outside of the state knew of Democratic Reps. Justin Jones, Justin J. Pearson and Gloria Johnson.
Memphis council votes to send Justin J. Pearson back to Tennessee House
Less than a week after Republicans expelled him from the state House after leading a protest in the legislature calling for gun law reforms, Justin J. Pearson gets his seat back.
Justin Jones is reappointed to Tennessee House seat, just days after expulsion
At least 30 members of Nashville’s Metro Council have released statements declaring their intent to vote Jones back into the District 52 seat. He will need a simple majority of the 40-member council to reclaim it.
What the expulsion of two representatives tells us about Tennessee
In this episode, we speak to local community leaders about the impact of the expulsion of Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the Tennessee legislature, and ask the question if the state is sliding into fascism.
Black leaders call out hypocrisy and racism after vote to expel Jones and Pearson from Tennessee House
Last week, two young Black Democrats were expelled from the state legislature for breaking decorum rules while protesting for gun control on the house floor. Black leaders across Tennessee — and beyond — are calling out the expulsions as racist.
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