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D Democratic · U.S. House 9, Tennessee · Nov 3, 2026

Justin
J. Pearson

Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D) is running for U.S. Congress in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
28
positions
11
endorsements
24
votejustinj.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Brent Taylor R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Justin J. Pearson is a Democratic politician from Memphis, Tennessee, currently serving as the state representative for Tennessee House District 86, which covers part of Shelby County. He has been a member of the Tennessee General Assembly since his election in 2023, serving in both the 113th and 114th General Assemblies. 213

Pearson was born in Memphis and attended Mitchell High School before graduating from Bowdoin College in 2017 with degrees in Government & Legal Studies and Education Studies. 24 Before entering elected office, he engaged in community advocacy as a teenager, including organizing Memphis Community Against the Pipeline (later Memphis Community Against Pollution), and later worked as Special Assistant to the CEO at Year Up, a workforce-development nonprofit. 49

Pearson is a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, with Election Day set for November 3, 2026. 17 He has received support from Justice Democrats and is not the incumbent in the congressional race, as he currently holds a state legislative seat. 61

His campaign biography emphasizes roots-up community organizing and environmental and social justice work throughout his life in Memphis. 9

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 9, Tennessee
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Tennessee State Representative, District 86
Website
votejustinj.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 12
    news
    Pearson continues voter rallying ahead of November 3 general election against Brent Taylor

    As of October 12, 2026, Pearson was actively rallying voters ahead of the November 3 general election in Tennessee's newly redrawn 9th District, where he faces Republican nominee Brent Taylor.

    Justin Pearson rallies voters ahead of Tennessee 2026 midterm election · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 11
    news
    Pearson rallies on lowering costs, raising wages, health care, and opposing data centers

    At a campaign rally, Pearson outlined priorities including lowering costs, raising wages, expanding health-care access, increasing the minimum wage, providing grants to small businesses, and stopping data-center projects he opposes.

    Tennessee Democrats strike back after Trump targets ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 10
    news
    Pearson reports surge in financial support following DCCC 'Red to Blue' announcement

    Reuters reported Pearson said he had seen a surge of financial support after the DCCC's Red to Blue announcement, though no updated dollar amount was available and recent campaign-finance filings had not yet been released.

    The midterm strategy driving Democrats deep into Trump ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 8
    poll
    Poll shows Pearson trailing Taylor by four points in newly redrawn TN-9

    TIME reported a poll of 400 voters commissioned by a Democratic-aligned group (later identified as Tennessee Rise PAC) showing Taylor at 48% and Pearson at 44%. It was described as the only publicly available poll of the race. Methodological details were limited.

    He's Running In a District Trump Won By 21 Points. Democrats See an Opening · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 5
    endorsement
    Common Defense endorses Pearson in TN-9 race

    Common Defense announced an endorsement of Justin J. Pearson in the Tennessee 9th District congressional race, according to the race's endorsement listing.

    Tennessee's 9th district · 2026 election | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 5
    endorsement
    DCCC adds Pearson to its 2026 'Red to Blue' program for competitive races

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Pearson as one of six new candidates added to its 'Red to Blue' program, which provides support and campaign resources to competitive Democratic candidates. Pearson called the addition 'BIG NEWS.'

    DCCC Announces Six New Candidates to Coveted 2026 'Red to ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Oct 3
    news
    Pearson says he opposes U.S. military aid to both Israel and Ukraine

    In a Daily Memphian interview, Pearson discussed U.S. foreign policy, with the article summarizing his position as opposing U.S. military aid to both Ukraine and Israel.

    Justin J. Pearson says no U.S. military aid to Israel or Ukraine · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 25
    debate
    Pearson challenges Taylor to debate in NewsChannel 5 interview; Taylor declines

    In an interview with NewsChannel 5, Pearson said he wanted to debate Brent Taylor anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The station reported Taylor declined the challenge.

    Tennessee's 9th Congressional District race pits Democrat Pearson against Republican Taylor · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 21
    debate
    Republican Brent Taylor declines to debate Pearson in 9th District race

    Reports from late September noted that Taylor passed on debating Pearson. Pearson had publicly said he wanted to debate Taylor 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere,' citing voters' right to hear contrasting visions for the district.

    POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: TAYLOR PASSES ON DEBATE WITH PEARSON IN 9TH DISTRICT; HATCHER AND MOLDER TO FACE OFF IN A DEBATE · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 18
    news
    Pearson argues Democrats must center Black and working-class voters, not treat them as 'ornaments'

    In an interview with theGrio, Pearson argued Democrats should center working people and Black voters. He also called for publicly financed campaigns and said he opposed taking corporate PAC money.

    Justin J. Pearson says Democrats must put Black and working-class voters at the center — not treat them as ‘ornaments’ · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 18
    endorsement
    Pearson announces Congressional Black Caucus endorsement

    Pearson posted on X that he had received the Congressional Black Caucus's endorsement for his congressional campaign in Tennessee's 9th District.

    Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) on X · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. May 1
    news
    Tennessee redistricting reshapes 9th District, expanding it beyond Memphis into 15 counties

    Tennessee's May redistricting reshaped the 9th District, combining parts of Memphis with rural counties. The new district spans 15 counties and is substantially more Republican-leaning than the former Memphis-centered seat, reshaping Pearson's congressional campaign.

    He's Running In a District Trump Won By 21 Points. Democrats See an Opening · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Tennessee House Democratic Caucus members (11) official
    11 members reported to have endorsed Pearson; names and endorsement date not given in sources reviewed. tri-statedefender.com
  • Ro Khanna official
    U.S. Representative; date of endorsement not established in sources reviewed. theintercept.com
  • Bernie Sanders official
    U.S. Senator; date of endorsement not established in sources reviewed. thirdact.org
  • National Nurses United union
    nationalnursesunited.org · Sep 22, 2026
  • MoveOn organization
    Listed on endorsement page updated September 21, 2026. front.moveon.org · Sep 21, 2026
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC organization
    weareprogressives.org · Sep 17, 2026
  • Communications Workers of America (CWA) union
    Announced by Pearson on September 6, 2026. x.com · Sep 6, 2026
  • Third Act Tennessee organization
    thirdact.org · Sep 3, 2026
  • Friends of the Earth Action organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Climate Hawks Vote organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Jane Fonda Climate PAC organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • U.S. Mobilizing for Urgent Sustainable Transformation organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Oil Change Action organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • GrayPAC organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Food & Water Action organization
    Part of a group of environmental/climate organizations announcing endorsements on July 30, 2026. graypac.org · Jul 30, 2026
  • Ayanna Pressley official
    U.S. Representative; rallied support for Pearson's bid at a campaign rally on July 17, 2026. tri-statedefender.com · Jul 17, 2026
  • Summer Lee official
    U.S. Representative; rallied support for Pearson's bid at a campaign rally on July 17, 2026. tri-statedefender.com · Jul 17, 2026
  • Indivisible organization
    National endorsement; local Memphis chapter had endorsed Pearson earlier. indivisible.org · Jul 14, 2026
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez official
    U.S. Representative. theintercept.com · Jun 25, 2026
  • Brady PAC organization
    bradypac.org · Jun 23, 2026
  • Working Families Party organization
    workingfamilies.org · Jun 15, 2026
  • TIRRC Votes organization
    tirrcvotes.org · Jun 2, 2026
  • Justice Democrats organization
    Announced endorsement in March 2026. secure.actblue.com · Mar 28, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.34M
Spent
$1.50M
Cash on hand
$845K

As of Jul 17, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN09449(opens in a new tab)

Sources 28

  1. [1] Justin Pearson rallies voters ahead of Tennessee 2026 midterm election(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Tennessee Democrats strike back after Trump targets ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] The midterm strategy driving Democrats deep into Trump ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  4. [4] He's Running In a District Trump Won By 21 Points. Democrats See an Opening(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] DCCC Announces Six New Candidates to Coveted 2026 'Red to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  6. [6] Issues | Join Justin for Congress—Get Involved Today(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  7. [7] Justin J. Pearson says no U.S. military aid to Israel or Ukraine(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  8. [8] US House Candidate Justin J. Pearson | Season 17 | Episode 13(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  9. [9] Tennessee's 9th district · 2026 election | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  10. [10] Tennessee's 9th Congressional District race pits Democrat Pearson against Republican Taylor(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  11. [11] National Nurses United endorses Justin Pearson for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  12. [12] Justin J. Pearson : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  13. [13] POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: TAYLOR PASSES ON DEBATE WITH PEARSON IN 9TH DISTRICT; HATCHER AND MOLDER TO FACE OFF IN A DEBATE(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  14. [14] Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) on X(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  15. [15] Justin J. Pearson says Democrats must put Black and working-class voters at the center — not treat them as ‘ornaments’(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  16. [16] Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Endorses Justin J ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  17. [17] Justin J. Pearson on X: "I am proud to announce that @CWAUnion ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 6, 2026
  18. [18] Third Act Tennessee proudly endorses Justin J. Pearson for U ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
  19. [19] National Enviro Groups Endorse Tenn. Data Center Fighter and Voting Rights Champion Justin Pearson(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2026
  20. [20] Prominent Democratic Congress members rally for Pearson - TSDMemphis.com(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026
  21. [21] Indivisible Endorses Justin J. Pearson in Tennessee's 9th ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026
  22. [22] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Justin J. Pearson in ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 25, 2026
  23. [23] Brady PAC Backs Six House Candidates Ready to Make ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 23, 2026
  24. [24] WFP Endorses Justin J. Pearson for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 15, 2026
  25. [25] TIRRC Votes Endorses State Rep. Justin J. Pearson in ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 2, 2026
  26. [26] Support Justin J. Pearson and Justice Democrats!(opens in a new tab) Mar 28, 2026
  27. [27] Rep. Justin Pearson, Parkland survivor David Hogg ’23 speak at Kennedy School(opens in a new tab) Apr 27, 2023
  28. [28] Issues | Join Justin for Congress—Get Involved Today — Justin J. Pearson for U.S. Congress(opens in a new tab) Jan 1, 2014
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