Expelled Representatives Jones And Pearson Report Fundraising Totals Prior To Special Election

Image Credit: Justin J. Pearson for State Representative / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

With only a few days left before a special election determines the fate of expelled and reappointed State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86), both report significant fundraising totals.

According to disclosures filed with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, Jones has raised nearly $64,500 and Pearson received donations totaling almost $37,250. 

In addition, Pearson personally donated $100,000 towards his campaign. Before his special election to replace the late Representative Barbara Cooper, Pearson’s fundraising efforts had amounted to $123,600 before he loaned himself another $20,000.

A majority of those funds were donated by out-of-state contributors, mostly from New York and California. Most were low dollar amounts ranging from $2.50 to $100.

Jones also received a $1000 contribution from former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with another $10,500 from other California state officials.

State legislators are restricted from fundraising while they are in session, but both were able to reinstate fundraising websites while they were expelled because they were not technically members of the legislative body at that time. Those contributions will be required to be included in regular fundraising reports that will be submitted in July.

The primary for both special elections will take place on Thursday, June 15. The general election will be held on August 3.

Two other special elections will take place this summer for the seats previously held by former Representative Scotty Campbell for House District 3 and the late Representative Bill Beck for House District 51. The District 3 primary will be held on June 22 with the general election being August 3. The District 51 primary will take place on August 3 and the general election will be on September 14.