The Facts
Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, the two Democratic Tennessee state representatives who were expelled by Republicans in April for protesting gun violence on the Tenn. House floor, have been reelected to their old seats following elections Thursday.
Though they were reinstated on an interim basis by local officials, Jones, from Nashville, had to defeat Republican candidate Laura Nelson, while Pearson, from Memphis, defeated independent Jeff Johnston. Both districts strongly lean towards Democrats.
The Spin
Left narrative
The Tennessee GOP's expulsion vote certainly did backfire, as "the Justins" now have even more influence than ever before. What did they think would happen after they kicked out the two officeholders with enough charisma and popularity to bring their constituents down to the statehouse for a peaceful demonstration? Voters are tired of seeing people shot dead due to lax gun laws and an authoritarian-leaning GOP, so the Justin movement is just beginning.
Republican narrative
First and foremost, the expulsion was not racist, as Gloria Johnson never screamed on the House floor, let alone into a bullhorn, as her colleagues did. The Tennessee House has a code of conduct for a reason — to prevent mobs like the one summoned by Jones and Pearson from disrupting the business of lawmakers. Whether these democrats regained their seats or not, the GOP should be proud that it stood up to the woke, unruly mob.
