They Gerrymandered His District Away in Three Days. He is Still Running

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As a movie critic, I’ve seen plenty of plot twists, but this one feels particularly cruel. Justin Pearson worked tirelessly for months to earn the trust of his constituents in the Memphis area, building a real campaign. Then, unbelievably, Tennessee Republicans essentially wiped his district off the map in just three days. It’s a shocking turn of events, and frankly, feels less like politics and more like a bad script.

A new voting map, recently approved and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on May 7th, significantly altered the state’s political landscape. It divided the only district where Black voters made up the majority into three parts, combining those areas with neighboring districts that generally vote Republican. As a result, the 9th District, previously a safe seat for Democrats, is now expected to strongly favor Republicans, with analysts estimating a nine-point advantage for the GOP.

The situation was clear to Pearson: well before the election, a historically powerful community in Memphis was losing its political voice and being divided into separate districts.

Speaking to TIME from Memphis, Pearson described watching changes to the community he leads as deeply painful and upsetting, feeling like an attempt to unfairly influence the presidential election.

The state representative, a Democrat who began campaigning in October, wasn’t shocked that Tennessee lawmakers quickly decided to change the boundaries of congressional districts. This happened shortly after President Trump discussed gaining more Republican seats with Governor Lee, as the midterm elections approached. However, he was surprised by how fast the process moved.

This new electoral map was drawn just three months before Tennessee’s primary election, making it the first one designed to favor a particular party after the Supreme Court limited the power of the Voting Rights Act. State Representative Justin Pearson explained that he didn’t find out how the map would impact his own district until very late in the special legislative session.

Justin Pearson has a history of challenging the status quo. In 2023, he and Representative Justin Jones were removed from the state legislature for leading a protest at the State Capitol, calling for stricter gun laws following a school shooting in Nashville. After public outcry and accusations of undemocratic actions, both lawmakers were quickly and unanimously welcomed back.

My family doesn’t give up, and this community instilled in me a fighting spirit, not a tendency to quit. We stand up for what’s right – for justice, equal treatment, fairness, our democratic values, and the basic needs of every person.

Following the state legislature’s release of the new congressional district map, Pearson participated in protests against the way the districts were drawn to favor one party. Shortly after, he was removed from all of his committee positions.

Tennessee Republicans defend their redrawing of voting districts, which eliminated the state’s last remaining Democratic-leaning area, citing a recent Supreme Court decision as justification. Senator Marsha Blackburn, currently campaigning for governor, publicly shared a proposed map on X (formerly Twitter) in April, stating that maintaining Republican control in Tennessee is crucial for advancing Donald Trump’s policies.

As a film buff, I’ve always been drawn to stories about equality, and this recent ruling really resonated with me. Senator Blackburn explained that the court’s decision aligns with Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a society where race isn’t a factor. Basically, the court said that prioritizing candidates based on race in elections is wrong – just like it was wrong to do that with college admissions. It’s a step towards truly judging people as individuals, and that’s something I think a lot of great films explore.

As Pearson campaigns, the political situation across the country is changing quickly with the upcoming elections. Since 2025, eight states have redrawn their congressional districts, and Alabama and Louisiana are also in the process of doing so. Experts at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics estimate that these new maps could give Republicans as many as 10 more seats in Congress.

According to Pearson, the rapid pace of redistricting efforts shows how quickly attempts to limit Black voters’ access to the ballot are happening across America, particularly in the South.

Honestly, nothing they’ve done has stopped us. We’re completely committed to what we know needs to happen, and we still believe it’s achievable, even after everything they’ve tried to do to shut us down and stifle our voices in this district. It just makes us more determined.

With the primary election just over 90 days away, Pearson is now campaigning in a district that’s been redrawn to include areas both around Memphis and in more rural Tennessee.

The new map is currently facing legal disputes. On Wednesday, a federal judge rejected a plea from Black voters – who are being represented by the ACLU – to halt the map’s implementation before the upcoming primary election. The voters plan to appeal this ruling, which means the situation remains unsettled.

Pearson shared that even some Republicans have expressed concerns, telling him their actions are unfair and a deliberate attempt to win by manipulating the system rather than through the strength of their ideas. He also pointed out that during a recent special session, Republicans removed a requirement to notify voters by mail when district lines are redrawn. This means many voters he’s met while campaigning don’t realize they’re now in a different district.

He described the situation as confusing and unclear, saying many people sense something is happening but don’t understand how it will affect them personally.

Peter Pearson, a candidate gaining support from progressive leaders across the country, is urging national political organizations to focus more attention and resources on the Southern states.

Running for Congress in California can be incredibly expensive – the same amount of money could fund a serious campaign for governor in states like Mississippi or Tennessee. It seems there isn’t enough investment in political campaigns in the South, compared to other regions.

This situation is also happening in the South, where several Democratic candidates are running against each other due to changes in voting district boundaries. For example, Justin Pearson is competing with State Senator London Lamar, who has received support from outgoing Representative Steve Cohen.

Pearson and his team are focusing on traditional campaign methods – like door-to-door visits, community gatherings, and yard signs – to connect with voters and discuss the challenges facing their district. He believes he has a strong chance of winning, regardless of recent district changes, because the important issues for voters haven’t changed.

He expressed sadness and concern that those in power aren’t listening to the needs of the community. However, he also noted that this disregard is sparking a renewed drive for change and a strong desire for fairness that hasn’t been felt in the community for some time.

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2026-05-28 14:07