Expelled Tennessee Lawmaker Justin Jones Reinstated by Unanimous Vote

In a unanimous decision, Nashville’s Metro Council has voted to reinstate Democrat Justin Jones to his seat in the Tennessee House. The GOP-led legislature had expelled Jones the week prior for leading gun reform protests on the chamber floor after the Covenant School shooting. Jones will now occupy his seat on an interim basis until a special election can be held for the seat.

Following the council vote, Jones returned to the Tennessee capitol to be sworn back into office amidst a large crowd of media and supporters. He made his way back to the House chamber arm-in-arm with state Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, who narrowly escaped expulsion last week.

In Shelby County, commissioners will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss reappointing ousted Rep. Justin Pearson, also a Democrat. Black leaders have called the expulsions of Jones and Pearson racist and hypocritical. Among the three lawmakers, Johnson is the only one who is white and she escaped expulsion.

These expulsions have made Tennessee a new front in the battle for the future of American democracy and thrust the ousted lawmakers into the national spotlight. Jones’ reinstatement is temporary, and special elections will take place in the coming months. Jones and Pearson have announced their plans to run in the special election.