NASHVILLE — Two freshmen Black Democrats expelled last week by Tennessee House Republicans over a gun protest with bullhorns on the House floor spent part of their Easter Sunday on national television vowing to return while also criticizing GOP members for expelling them.
Former Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis said in a joint appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” they hope Metro Nashville and Shelby County commissioners will reappoint them to their seats.
A majority of Nashville council members have already stated publicly they intend to appoint Jones to his seat. Shelby County commissioners plan to meet soon.
Pearson and Jones were removed from office Thursday in response to the March 30 demonstration on the House floor, in which they rallied protesters in the gallery calling for gun restrictions in response to the killing of three 9-year-olds and three staff members at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Pearson told moderator Chuck Todd he would be honored to accept Shelby County commissioners’ appointment. He also said he still plans to run in the special election to fill the seat to which he was appointed following the death of then-Rep. Barbara Cooper, also a Black Democrat.