Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) is making calls on behalf of Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga)’s re-election campaign. In a call sent to voters of Tennessee House District 28 Tuesday, Pearson, one of The Tennessee Three who was expelled from the General Assembly "for standing up for common sense gun legislation in the aftermath of The Covenant School shooting," Rep.
Pearson thanked Rep. Hakeem for his guidance and support in the General Assembly, the Hakeem campaign said.
“Rep. Hakeem knows how to fight for this district and how to make things happen,” Rep. Pearson said in the call. “When I had to fight to get back into the legislature after getting expelled, Rep. Hakeem was there every step of the way. Yusuf Hakeem has built relationships with members across the aisle, which has helped him be an effective legislator.”
Rep. Pearson was also featured prominently on a mailpiece sent to voters of Tennessee House District 28, where he "noted Hakeem’s calm voice that guided the democratic caucus during many turbulent times that have played out in the Tennessee General Assembly over the years."
“Rep. Hakeem is the Deacon of the caucus,” Rep. Pearson wrote on the piece, which went out during the early voting period. “Yusuf’s passion for helping hardworking Tennesseans can be felt. We need his wisdom and guidance in the Tennessee House.”
The campaign said, "A career-long advocate for sensible gun laws, Rep. Hakeem supported The Tennessee Three in their efforts to break through the republican supermajority and demand sensible and impactful gun legislation. Rep. Hakeem voted against enhanced concealed carry permits, sponsored legislation that would have further banned semi-automatic assault weapons, and fought to ban the transfer of firearms."
Rep. Hakeem said, “I always have and always support sensible gun laws with the vote the people of Tennessee’s 28th House District have entrusted in me. Unfortunately, even with Rep. Pearson’s vocal support, we are only two of 24 out of 99 democrats in the state house - which is why it’s so important that we elect more democrats on Nov. 5th. Thank you to my friend, Rep. Justin J. Pearson, for his support. It means the world.”