TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Oct 9, 2025

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson is planning to challenge long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, according to the Commercial Appeal. Cohen has held the seat — which encompasses most of Memphis and some of its suburbs — since 2007. The Democratic primary for the seat will be held in August 2026, followed by a general election in November 2026. "The status quo is not working for us," Pearson said in an interview ahead of the announcement. "I think that we will be the strongest candidate in the race. We have the right vision, the right ideas, the right goals and visions” for the district. According to The Tennessee Journal, Pearson plans to run for re-election to his state House seat while challenging Cohen. Read more about his campaign