Tennessee Democrat Expelled from GOP-Dominated House of Representatives Faces Threats of Funding Cuts if Reappointed

A Tennessee Democrat who was expelled from the GOP-dominated state House of Representatives last week says he is shocked at reports that legislators have threatened local officials with funding cuts if he’s reappointed.

Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones of Memphis was expelled alongside Rep. Justin Pearson for participating in a protest against gun violence. Rep. Gloria Johnson, who also participated in the protest, survived the vote and was not expelled.

Rep. Pearson told HuffPost that he was appalled that leaders in Nashville would threaten other elected officials in Shelby County with the removal of funds from the county if they follow the Democratic process of reappointment.

Nashville’s Metro Council is meeting Monday afternoon to consider reappointing Rep. Jones to his seat in the Tennessee House. Rep. Pearson said the incident is a testament to the culture of the Republican-dominated legislature in Tennessee.

The outcome of the meeting is yet to be seen, but the implications of the threats made by the state legislature are clear. It remains to be seen if the Metro Council will stand up to the threats and follow the Democratic process of reappointment.