![Expelled Tennessee lawmakers win special election to serve remainder of their terms](https://www.jurist.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/1024px-Tennessee_state_capitol.jpeg)
Two Tennessee lawmakers who were expelled from the Tennessee legislature earlier this year after protesting gun violence won reelection Thursday for the Tennessee House of Representatives seats they were removed from earlier this year. One of the lawmakers, Justin Jones, won his election for Tennessee House District 52. The other, Justin Pearson, also won his election in Tennessee House District 81.
Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled from the Tennessee legislature in April after protesting gun violence on the floor of the House. Jones was removed with a 72-25 vote along party lines. Pearson was also removed, but with a 69-26 vote. Both representatives protested gun violence on the floor following a shooting at a Christian Tennessee school in which three adults and three nine-year olds were killed.
The Tennessee House of Representatives filed resolutions to motions expel Jones and Pearson for what was described as “disorderly and disruptive conduct” which “reflects adversely the integrity and dignity of the House of Representatives of the State of Tennessee.” A resolution was also filed to expel Representative Gloria Johnson, who protested gun violence with the two expelled lawmakers, but the resolution against Johnson failed to get the 2/3 vote of the legislature required to expel a House member by Article II section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution.
Jones was unanimously reinstated to his position by Nashville’s Metro Council on April 10, less than a week after his expulsion. Following Jones’ reinstatement, counsel for Jones and Pearson demanded the restoration of the lawmakers’ rights in a letter to House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Pearson was reinstated to his position by the Shelby County Commission on April 12. Thursday’s elections mean that Jones and Pearson can now return to the House as lawmakers to serve out the rest of their terms.