Justin J. Pearson through the years in photos
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated
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State Rep. Justin J. Pearson answers a question during a forum hosted by the Germantown Democratic Club for democratic candidates running for U.S. House District 9 in Germantown, Tenn., on June 15, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson announces he will continue seeking the District 9 U.S. congressional seat, despite the newly redistricted map. He made the announcement at the Orange Mound welcome sign on May 12, 2026.
(Lucas Finton/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during the “Memphis Won’t Be Silenced” rally outside of the National Civil Rights Museum on May 9, 2026. The event was held in response to the state legislature’s redistricting of U.S. House districts in Memphis.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during the “Memphis Won’t Be Silenced” rally outside of the National Civil Rights Museum on May 9, 2026. The event was held in response to the state legislature’s redistricting of U.S. House districts in Memphis.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during the “Memphis Won’t Be Silenced” rally outside of the National Civil Rights Museum on May 9, 2026. The event was held in response to the state legislature’s redistricting of U.S. House districts in Memphis.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
MICAH president Pastor Keith Caldwell introduces Rep. Justin J. Pearson during a Memphis May Day rally in opposition to xAI, billionaires, corporations and more on May 1, 2026, at Alonzo Weaver Park in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a Memphis May Day rally in opposition to xAI, billionaires, corporations and more on May 1, 2026, at Alonzo Weaver Park in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen look on while listening to a performance of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” during a commemoration ceremony on the 58th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a commemoration ceremony on the 58th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Tennessee state Representative Justin J. Pearson (D) attends a memorial service for late civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow Push coalition headquarters, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 7, 2026.
(Shannon Stapleton, REUTERS)
Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks as MDEQ hosts a public hearing on Feb. 17, 2026, at the Ranger Conference Center regarding an operations permit for 41 turbines at xAI's power plant on Stanton Road in Southaven.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks with an attendee during the annual Memphis Christmas Parade in Whitehaven on Nov. 22, 2025.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a press conference to announce his run for Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District seat in Memphis, Tenn., on October 8, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a press conference to announce his run for Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District seat in Memphis, Tenn., on October 8, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a TDEC information session and public hearing on a permit for xAI's Colossus Water Recycling Plant on June 26, 2025, at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a rally to encourage the denial of an operations permit for 15 gas turbines at xAI’s 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road site on April 30, 2025, outside of the Shelby County Health Department in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State. Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a rally to encourage the denial of an operations permit for 15 gas turbines at xAI’s 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road site on April 30, 2025, outside of the Shelby County Health Department in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson reacts during a public hearing on the permit application from xAI for use of 15 gas turbines at its Paul R. Lowry Road site on April 25, 2025, at Fairley High School in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin J. Pearson speaks during a town hall regarding xAI and its impact on the city on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in South Memphis.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson campaigns outside the polling place at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. He is running for reelection to represent state House District 86. He is accompanied by "the District 86 mascot”: a 5-year-old “Maltipoo” — a Maltese and toy poodle mix — named Curly Gurly. The dog was a gift from Pearson’s fiancée, University of Memphis law student Oceana R. Gilliam.
(John Beifuss / The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, speaks during a press conference condemning HB 1931, at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. The bill by Rep. John Gillespie, R- Memphis, would keep local governments from enacting any laws that restrict local police officers from making minor traffic stops.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Rep. Justin J. Pearson waves to the crowd attending the ABC not NRA rally while he walks towards the House chamber doors at State Capitol Building in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, April 3, 2023
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Representative Justin J. Pearson during a house session at the State Capitol Building in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, March 6, 2023.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
President of Memphis Community Against the Pipeline Justin J. Pearson speaks during a celebration for the one year anniversary of the cancellation of the Byhalia Pipeline on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Alonzo Weaver Park. The event featuring free food and speeches celebrated the fight that stopped the crude oil pipeline from being built through Boxtown.
(Christine Tannous / The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, attempts to attend a Senate committee meeting and is denied entry by the sergeant at arms on the second day of special session concerning redistricting at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. After protesters shut down the previous meeting, the Judiciary Committee convened in the same room but the public and several representatives were not allowed inside.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Rep. Justin Pearson speaks during general comments to voice support for a 12 month data center moratorium during a City Hall meeting on Sept. 1, 2026 at 125 North Main Street in Memphis,Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson smiles after securing the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress during his election night watch party in Memphis, Tenn., on August 6, 2026.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson looks on next to Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during a “Toxic Tour” on July 17, 2026 near an xAI facility in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson smiles after securing the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress during his election night watch party in Memphis, Tenn., on August 6, 2026.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduces State Representative Justin Pearson, who is running for Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District, during a rally at New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on July 17, 2026. Today is the first day of early voting for the August 6th election.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin Pearson is introduced at a forum hosted by the Germantown Democratic Club for democratic candidates running for U.S. House District 9 in Germantown, Tenn., on June 15, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, looks on as people in the crowd begin to chant during a Senate committee meeting on the second day of a special session concerning redistricting at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
State Rep. Justin Pearson becomes emotional as he walks up to the casket of State Rep. GA Hardaway to pay his respects at the start of Hardaway’s funeral at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on May 1, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Representative Justin Pearson speaks with MPD Colonel Phillip Penny, commander of the North Main Precinct after multiple protest marshals were detained by police and protestors were sprayed with a chemical irritant at the end of a march as part of a No Kings rally at Robert R. Church Park in Memphis, Tenn., on March 28, 2026.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin Pearson and KeShaun Pearson, director of Memphis Community Against Pollution, listen as U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen as part of a No Kings rally at Robert R. Church Park in Memphis, Tenn., on March 28, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, holds a sign as Gov. Bill Lee delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(MARK ZALESKI / THE TENNESSEAN)
State representative Justin Pearson smiles during the 31st Lowery New Year’s Day Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 1, 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis speaks to the crowd after representatives voted on HB 739 in a committee hearing at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
From left, Democratic Tennessee Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson arrive at Fisk University in Nashville on April 7, 2023, to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris.
(Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean)
Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis walks with protesters marching in response to several controversial bills, outside at Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Rep. Justin Pearson, Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Gloria Johnson People hold their hands up as they exit the House Chamber doors at Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, April 3, 2023.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, is surrounded by supporters and lifts his hands to supporters in the gallery as he speaks before a vote to expel him form the House of Representatives at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, April 6, 2023.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Justin Pearson celebrates with supporters after being reinstated to the the Tennessee House of Representatives by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Democratic state representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones present the Spirit of Americana Award to Allison Russel during the Americana Music Association Awards and Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Rep. Justin Pearson, D- Memphis, speaks following the last day of a legislative session on public safety in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, shouts as he leaves the House chamber after the special legislative session to address public safety issues recessed on Monday, August 21, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Demonstrators want gun laws reformed in the wake of the March mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville where 3 children and 3 adults were killed.
(Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)
State Rep. Justin Pearson chants “we the people” with his supporters at the end of his victory speech after Pearson won the District 86 special general election in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin Pearson speaks with a school resource officer as he is surrounded by officers while giving public comment after his time to speak expired during a MSCS Board business meeting in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Justin J. Pearson through the years in photos
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State Rep. Justin J. Pearson answers a question during a forum hosted by the Germantown Democratic Club for democratic candidates running for U.S. House District 9 in Germantown, Tenn., on June 15, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson is currently running for Congress in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
