‘I’m fired up!’: State Rep. Pearson to run for U.S. Congressman
by: Sarai Bennett, Tia McKenzie
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson announced he is challenging incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen for the 9th District U.S. House seat at a press conference held at Alonzo Weaver Park Wednesday morning.
Rep. Pearson said he is fighting for working-class families, affordable housing, gun safety laws, federal investment to combat poverty and crime, healthcare, and veterans.
“This campaign isn’t about me; it’s about every one of us. It’s about us,” he said.
The Memphis native talked about his childhood and shared a backstory about what he witnessed growing up that fueled his fight for the working class.
“My grandmama’s right in this neighborhood, worked at Laidlaw as a bus driver and was a registered nurse in this community, raising six and five children themselves. I’m here because of them, working-class folks who did all that they could to build the best future for their children and grandchildren,” Pearson stated.
At one point, Rep. Pearson interned for Congressman Cohen, who had held the position for nearly 20 years. When Pearson was expelled from the Tennessee General Assembly in 2023, Cohen stood up for him.
Despite this, Rep. Pearson discussed having a conversation with Congressman Cohen regarding his run for the House seat and said,” he talked to me just like I get talked to by Republicans in the statehouse.”
“He was very condescending, very arrogant. And he spoke to me in a way that was unbecoming of any leader, but especially our United States Congressman,” he said. “But that’s alright. He won’t be there for long.”
In response to Pearson’s official announcement of his run, Cohen released a statement on social media encouraging people to continue their support for him as Congressman:
“Tomorrow morning, an ambitious young candidate has said he plans to announce he is running for the House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. With your continued support, we will turn back this challenge in the Democratic Primary and go on to work with the incoming Democratic House Majority to put a stop to this runaway administration. With a shutdown, an out-of-control, power-grabbing executive, and ICE and the National Guard on the streets of Memphis, this is a time for the experience and institutional knowledge that I bring to the table.”
Pearson took a few questions and was asked about the controversy surrounding the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis, and said that if money goes towards the city to help the poor and not military occupation, then crime would not be as rampant.
“If you just cut that check to the city and said this needs to go to poverty eradication, then crime numbers would go down,” he said.
Pearson is also advocating for investments in schools so students can increase literacy skills, in addition to eradicating poverty.
Pearson urged the community to come to his political rally at the Premiere Palace Ballroom at 1 p.m. on Saturday and said that he needs “people power to help us win this race.”
“It’s going to take all of us, because it’s about us,” he said.
WREG has reached out to Congressman Steve Cohen for comment and is waiting for a response.
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