The Facts
Less than a week after being expelled, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners has reappointed Justin J. Pearson to his seat representing Tennessee House District 86 in the state legislature.
Pearson's reinstatement comes just two days after the Nashville Metropolitan Council unanimously voted to restore fellow Democrat Rep. Justin Jones to office.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Jones and Pearson were already popular because of the policies they support, and the compassion they showed for the victims of the Nashville school shooting. By expelling them, and not considering they would easily be reinstated by their county commissions, Republicans made two of their opponents into nationwide celebrities who will now be better able to push for gun reform, racial justice, and other progressive causes.
Republican narrative
These Democrats violently led a rebellion against an elected body and broke several of the House’s rules. Unfortunately, Democrats continue to believe the rules don’t apply to them, especially when it comes to pushing for unconstitutional gun restrictions. They shouldn’t celebrate too hard, though. Jone and Pearson still have to win reelection in order to remain in their seats.
