Member of ‘Tennessee Three’ makes transfer towards 2024 Senate bid

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson, the lone Democratic member of the “ Tennessee Three ” who narrowly survived a Republican-led expulsion effort, has launched an exploratory committee as she considers working for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn in 2024.

Johnson, 61, filed the exploratory paperwork – a step that often comes simply earlier than formally launching a marketing campaign – late final week. Doing so permits her to begin elevating cash to help efforts like touring and polling with out formally turning into a candidate. It’s not required to run for political workplace however it might assist increase a candidate’s profile.

“Tennessee has a Senator that stands with bullies, I have a reputation for standing up to bullies,” Johnson stated in an announcement. “I’m taking a serious look at this race and having great conversations with folks who are hungry for better leadership in Washington.”

In ruby purple Tennessee, Johnson is predicted to face an uphill battle if she advances to face Blackburn. The state hasn’t elected a Democrat to a statewide workplace since 2006.

Johnson has lengthy been a vocal critic of Blackburn and different prime Tennessee Republican leaders throughout her time in workplace. However, it wasn’t till this spring that her political profession obtained a nationwide increase after she participated in a pro-gun management protest contained in the Tennessee Capitol that attracted hundreds of protesters demanding lawmakers tackle the state’s lax gun legal guidelines.

The demonstration got here simply days after a shooter opened fireplace at a personal Christian college in Nashville, killing three youngsters and three adults. With tensions working excessive, Johnson joined fellow Democratic Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones as they approached the entrance of the House flooring with out permission with a bullhorn, becoming a member of the chants and cries for motion by protesters within the public galleries and outdoors of the chamber.

Republican lawmakers rapidly known as for his or her expulsion as a result of they broke protocol and disrupted House proceedings. Pearson and Jones, who’re each Black, have been expelled, whereas Johnson, who’s white, was spared by one vote, although Republicans denied that race was an element. Pearson and Johnson have been reinstated on an interim foundation and have been reelected to their positions final week.

All three will be a part of their legislative colleagues later this month for a particular session to deal with potential adjustments to the state’s gun management legal guidelines. Republican lawmakers initially declined to take action earlier than adjourning their common session in April. Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who has pushed for adjustments to maintain weapons away from folks deemed to pose a menace to hurt themselves or others, is looking them again into session.

Blackburn’s first Senate race passed off in 2018, when she defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen by virtually 11 share factors.

Blackburn’s win, the place she additionally turned Tennessee’s first feminine U.S. senator, marked a stark rightward shift within the state’s Republican Party leaders. While former GOP senators from the Volunteer State have been recognized for taking extra centrist positions, Blackburn launched her senate marketing campaign by touting that she was a “hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative” and aligned herself intently to former President Donald Trump.

In 2021, she vowed to oppose the electoral faculty outcomes that affirmed President Joe Biden’s win, however later backed down after watching the Jan. 6 rebellion unfold from contained in the U.S. Capitol.

Along with Johnson, Democratic group activist and organizer Marquita Bradshaw has additionally introduced plans to run for Blackburn‘s seat. Bradshaw gained the Democratic Senate nomination in 2020, however later misplaced to Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty within the basic election by 27 share factors.

“At the urging of Washington liberals, Gloria Johnson has taken another critical step towards joining liberal Democrat Marquita Bradshaw in the Tennessee Senate Democratic Primary,” stated Blackburn’s marketing campaign spokesperson, Abigail Sigler. “Both of them are radical socialists who are aligned with Joe Biden’s failed policies that are making Tennesseans’ lives tougher every day.”