Member of ‘Tennessee Three’ makes move toward 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 operating 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 start out elevating cash to assist efforts like touring and polling with out formally changing into a candidate. It isn’t required to run for political workplace however it might probably assist enhance a candidate’s profile.

“Tennessee has a Senator that stands with bullies, I’ve a fame for standing as much as bullies,” Johnson stated in a press release. “I’m taking a critical take a look at this race and having nice conversations with people who’re hungry for higher management in Washington.”

In ruby pink 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 high Tennessee Republican leaders throughout her time in workplace. Nonetheless, it wasn’t till this spring that her political profession obtained a nationwide enhance after she participated in a pro-gun management protest contained in the Tennessee Capitol that attracted hundreds of protesters demanding lawmakers deal with the state’s lax gun legal guidelines.

The demonstration got here simply days after a shooter opened hearth at a personal Christian faculty in Nashville, killing three youngsters and three adults. With tensions operating excessive, Johnson joined fellow Democratic Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones as they approached the entrance of the Home ground 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 shortly known as for his or her expulsion as a result of they broke protocol and disrupted Home proceedings. Pearson and Jones, who’re each Black, had been expelled, whereas Johnson, who’s white, was spared by one vote, although Republicans denied that race was an element. Pearson and Johnson had been reinstated on an interim foundation and had been reelected to their positions final week.

All three will be part of their legislative colleagues later this month for a particular session to deal with potential modifications 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. Invoice Lee, who has pushed for modifications to maintain weapons away from individuals deemed to pose a menace to hurt themselves or others, is looking them again into session.

Blackburn’s first Senate race came about in 2018, when she defeated Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen by virtually 11 proportion factors.

Blackburn’s win, the place she additionally grew to become Tennessee’s first feminine U.S. senator, marked a stark rightward shift within the state’s Republican Social gathering leaders. Whereas former GOP senators from the Volunteer State had 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 carefully to former President Donald Trump.

In 2021, she vowed to oppose the electoral school 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.

Together with Johnson, Democratic neighborhood 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. Invoice Hagerty within the normal election by 27 proportion factors.

“On the urging of Washington liberals, Gloria Johnson has taken one other crucial step in direction of becoming a member of liberal Democrat Marquita Bradshaw within the Tennessee Senate Democratic Main,” stated Blackburn’s marketing campaign spokesperson, Abigail Sigler. “Each of them are radical socialists who’re aligned with Joe Biden’s failed insurance policies which can be making Tennesseans’ lives more durable each day.”