Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have been reinstated to the Tennessee legislature. I’m not clear on what’s happened here, the procedure in place. It sounds like they are back in their seats but they have to run again for the office from which they were removed? I guess if I actually read up on this situation, some of the blanks might be filled in.
But let’s just go with the optics for now.
In a historically racist state, two black Democratic lawmakers are expelled while a white member escapes expulsion for joining in gun violence protests in the chamber’s gallery. The explanation given for the expulsions was that Pearson and Jones had used a bullhorn, while the third offender—Gloria Johnson, a white woman—hadn’t. I guess this might have provided clarity for the Republican supermajority to do what they did. Maybe it had little to do with race, and using a bullhorn after your mics are cut off was just a bridge too far…
The public reacted vociferously to these expulsions, bringing the pressure and making the Republican supermajority look bad. Thus the reinstatements. But now the two legitimately elected representatives have to go through another election– first a primary within 60 days, then a general election within 107 days. Both have said they will seek reelection.
Seems like alot of unnecessary rigamarole. And guns are still blazing.
3 Cents' 