The journey of Tennessee Three from the state house to the DNC spotlight

Tennessee Three, including Rep. Justin J. Pearson, was recently bumped from the DNC lineup due to scheduling issues. However, the exposure they received from this incident raised their national profile. Tennessee was the first state to support presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the online roll call at the Democratic National Convention. Pearson, a rising political star, reminded the audience of his past expulsion during his speech at the DNC. The Tennessee Three, who protested for firearms law reform on the House floor following a tragic shooting, were voted to be expelled by the Tennessee House of Representatives but were later returned to their positions by their constituents in special elections. Their defiance against the majority party made them political martyrs, giving them a national platform to criticize the majority, win elections, and raise funds. Despite being excluded from the DNC lineup, the Tennessee Three’s message will reach a national audience, shedding light on Tennessee politics. David Plazas, the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee, predicts that their upcoming speech at the DNC will not necessarily sway fellow lawmakers, but it will provide their message with a national stage and highlight the state’s political landscape.

Source
Photo credit www.tennessean.com